Double-diaphragm pump integrated valve central element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-diaphragm pumps face potential product leak paths to the exterior at the manifold or valve seal join due to separate components carrying the valves, which can lead to leakage and safety hazards when handling aggressive media.
Innovation Solution
The unidirectional valves are integrated directly into the central element of the pump body, accessible only after removing the diaphragms, eliminating external leakage paths and containing any internal leakage within the pump body, with ball valves screw-threaded into the manifolds and angled manifolds reducing the pump's overall width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If valves are carried in a separate component fitted into the exterior of the central pump body, then the pump structure is simplified and easier to assemble, but potential product leak paths are created at the manifold or valve seal join
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve assembly with the central pump body by integrating the valve housing directly into the central element. The valves are no longer separate components fitted from the exterior, but are built-in as part of the central structure. This eliminates the seal join interfaces between separate components, thereby removing the leak paths while maintaining assembly simplicity through the integrated design.
2Ease of repair
If valves are accessible from the exterior of the pump body, then maintenance and replacement are easier, but leakage can occur at external seal joins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the valves are housed within the central element, and the diaphragms are positioned to provide access to the valve assembly area. The valves are nested within the central pump body structure, requiring diaphragm removal for access. This nesting eliminates external leak paths while maintaining repairability through the diaphragm removal access route.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pump body is designed with separate valve components, then manufacturing is simpler, but internal leakage can still occur at seal joins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the central element: it serves as the structural core of the pump, houses the valve assembly, and provides the mounting structure for the diaphragms. By merging the valve housing with the central body, the design eliminates the seal joins that would otherwise exist between separate valve components and the pump body, thereby preventing internal leakage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated approach.
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 design prevents external leakage, maintains pumping efficiency, and ensures safety by containing any internal leakage, allowing the pump to handle hazardous chemicals without posing a risk to personnel.
Implementation Method 1
means for supplying fluid to the outer compartments to cause the diaphragms to oscillate and vary the capacities of the inner compartments
Implementation Method 2
means for supplying fluid to the outer compartments to cause the diaphragms to oscillate
Implementation Method 3
the unidirectional valves are ball valves, the balls of which act on valve seatings which are fitted into said inlet an outlet manifolds
Implementation Method 4
the valve seatings are screw-threaded into the central element
Implementation Method 5
a pumping diaphragm which divides each chamber into an inner and outer compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A double-diaphragm pump includes a pair of axially spaced apart pumping chambers, each chamber having a pumping diaphragm which divides each chamber into an inner and outer compartment. Inner ends of both pumping chambers are closed by a central element, and fluid is supplied to the outer compartments to cause the diaphragms to oscillate and vary the capacities of the inner compartments. I Each of the inner compartments having an inlet and an outlet port leading to unidirectional valves to allow fluid to be drawn into one of the compartments when the appropriate diaphragm moves outwardly and expelled from that compartment when the diaphragm moves inwardly. The unidirectional valves are located in inlet and outlet manifolds in the central element and are accessed and fitted through the inlet and outlet ports in the inner compartments.