Double Pump Check Valve Spoiler Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow-controlled non-return valves in double pumps, such as those used in heating circulating pumps, fail to close properly at high flow rates and low pressures, leading to short-circuit currents and reduced delivery rates, necessitating operational speed restrictions to avoid inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A double pump design featuring a flow-controlled non-return valve with an inflow surface shaped like a spoiler that protrudes into the flow path, applying an oblique force to the non-return flap, ensuring tighter closure even at high flow rates and low pressures, and optionally having sealing surfaces on both sides of the flap for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow-controlled check valve is used in a double pump, then the pump ensures pumping performance when one pump fails, but at high flow rates and low discharge pressures the check valve does not close completely, creating short-circuit currents and reducing delivery rate
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler is positioned upstream of the check valve to pre-accelerate and redirect the flow before it reaches the valve. This preliminary action creates a stronger flow-induced closing force that acts on the check valve before the main flow would otherwise pass, ensuring complete closure even at high flow rates and low discharge pressures where conventional check valves fail
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler acts as an intermediary element between the flow and the check valve. It modifies the flow characteristics by creating a directional force component that acts on the check valve, mediating the interaction between flow and valve to achieve reliable closure. The spoiler translates the flow energy into a more effective closing force through its geometric design
2Device complexity
If the check valve is designed with conventional geometry, then the structure is simple, but the closing force is insufficient at high flow rates due to reduced pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The spoiler introduces a new geometric dimension to the check valve assembly. By adding the upstream-facing surface of the spoiler, the design exploits the flow direction and pressure distribution in a different spatial orientation. This dimensional addition creates a force component that acts obliquely on the check valve, supplementing the conventional pressure differential force and ensuring adequate closing force across all operating conditions
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 design achieves improved flap closure and increased delivery capacity across all speed ranges, preventing short-circuit currents and maintaining efficiency without operational speed limitations, as the spoiler-enhanced inflow surface provides sufficient closing force at high flow rates and low pressures.
Implementation Method 1
A force acts on such an inlet surface, in the form of a spoiler, due to the flow in the flow path; this force is directed obliquely to perpendicularly to the main flow direction of the flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
The dual pump (5) has pipes (20, 25) ending in a common outlet pipe (30). The pipes are provided at a high pressure side of two pumps (10, 15) of the dual pump. A check valve (35) is arranged in an opening region (27) in a flow controlled manner. One of the pipes blocks the other pipe during the flow. The check valve has two flow surfaces (80, 85) projecting in a flow path in a closing position. The flow surfaces are turned in an upstream manner. The flow surfaces are formed by a spoiler that is arranged at the check valve, and encircled by two sealing surfaces (65, 70).