Self-Driven Foam Mixing Pump for Compact Proportional Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-type foam proportional mixing devices using Venturi tubes are inefficient and lack a compact structure, making them unsuitable for various firefighting scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A foam proportional mixing device utilizing a Roots pump with a gear pump and a fluid guide member, enabling efficient mixing of foam and water through a compact design that operates without additional power, driven by the kinetic energy of the fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a Venturi tube is used as the core component of a pressure-type foam proportional mixing device, then the device can mix foam concentrate and fire-fighting water, but the structure becomes complex and compactness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the foam concentrate tank, gear pump, Roots pump, and mixing chamber into a single compact integrated body. The gear pump and Roots pump are positioned adjacently within the same housing structure, sharing common fluid passages and mounting surfaces, which merges multiple components into one unified device while maintaining mixing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the gear pump is positioned within the housing structure that also contains the Roots pump. The foam concentrate tank is integrated into the housing, and fluid passages are routed through the housing walls to connect all components in a space-efficient nested configuration, achieving compactness without sacrificing mixing capability
2Device complexity
If a Roots pump is used as the core component with a compact structure, then the device achieves space efficiency, but additional power is required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The Roots pump is designed to be self-driven by the kinetic energy of the fire-fighting water flow. The water entering the pump housing directly drives the rotors to rotate without requiring an external motor or power source, making the moving component energy-autonomous while maintaining the compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic energy of the flowing fire-fighting water to directly drive the Roots pump mechanism. The water flow itself becomes the power source, converting kinetic energy into mechanical rotation of the pump rotors, thereby eliminating the need for additional power input while preserving compact design
3Use of energy by moving object
If the Roots pump is driven by fluid kinetic energy without additional power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the mixing efficiency and proportionality may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid guide member as an intermediary component that directs the kinetic energy of the fire-fighting water flow onto the rotors of the Roots pump. This guide member ensures that the water flow efficiently transfers energy to drive the pump while maintaining proper rotation speed and mixing proportionality, thereby preserving mixing efficiency without requiring additional power input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the design parameters of the Roots pump, including rotor geometry, pump chamber dimensions, and fluid passage configurations, to maximize mixing efficiency within the constraints of self-driven operation. By carefully tuning these parameters, the pump achieves effective foam concentrate suction and mixing proportions while being driven solely by water flow kinetic energy
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 device achieves efficient and proportional mixing of foam and water, facilitating its use in diverse firefighting situations with a compact and user-friendly structure.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid guide member is arranged in the Roots pump inlet, and is configured to guide a fluid to flow to the pair of rotors and provide driving forces to the pair of rotors for rotating same in opposite directions from each other
Implementation Method 2
A Roots pump cavity is formed in the Roots pump housing. The Roots pump inlet and the Roots pump outlet are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the Roots pump housing, and the Roots pump inlet and the Roots pump outlet are respectively in communication with the Roots pump cavity. The pair of rotors are located in the Roots pump cavity.
Implementation Method 3
The gear pump comprises a gear pump housing and a pair of gears. A gear pump cavity is formed in the gear pump housing, a gear pump inlet and a gear pump outlet are respectively provided on two opposite sides of the gear pump housing, and the gear pump outlet is in fluid communication with the Roots pump cavity.
Implementation Method 4
a coupling, wherein the coupling is connected between the rotor shaft of the one rotor and the gear shaft of the one gear, and the coupling, the rotor shaft, and the gear shaft are arranged coaxially, so that the one rotor can drive the one gear to rotate by means of the coupling
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices related to mixing foam fire suppressant are provided. A foam proportional mixing device includes a first pump. The first pump includes an inlet pipe coupled with a first housing, such that the inlet pipe is in fluid communication with a first cavity defined by the first housing. The first pump includes a foam receiving port arranged on the inlet pipe and a pair of rotors positioned within the first housing. The foam proportional mixing device includes a second pump. The second pump includes a pair of gears located within a second cavity defined by a second housing. The foam receiving port is in communication with an outlet of the second pump, such that the first pump is in fluid communication with the first cavity.