Hydraulic Pump System Synchronizing Slurry Discharge Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating positive displacement pumps used for handling slurry media experience pressure fluctuations during discharge, leading to inconsistent product quality due to independent operation of discharge valves and incomplete pre-compression strokes, which are not fully synchronized with the switching between suction and discharge strokes.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic pump system with at least two reciprocating positive displacement pumps connected via a hydraulic line that interconnects their cylinder chambers, ensuring synchronized operation of piston/cylinder discharge valves to prevent volume differences during opening and closing, and utilizing sensors for precise control and synchronization of valve positions to maintain consistent flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If discharge valves are operated independently to control each pump's discharge, then individual pump discharge can be controlled, but volume differences and pressure fluctuations occur during valve switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple discharge valves by interconnecting their cylinder chambers through a common hydraulic line. This allows the valves to be operated as a synchronized unit, where the displacement of one valve piston automatically compensates for volume changes in other valves, eliminating pressure fluctuations and ensuring consistent flow despite independent pump operations.
2Reliability
If pre-compression stroke is performed before discharge valve opening to ensure zero pressure across the valve, then valve operation is controlled, but pressure fluctuations still occur due to incomplete compression or unsynchronized valve switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-compression stroke that is automatically completed before discharge valve opening through the synchronized hydraulic linkage. The common hydraulic line ensures that all cylinder chambers are fully compressed to the same pressure level before valve actuation, eliminating incomplete compression and ensuring consistent pressure across all valves during switching.
3Productivity
If multiple reciprocating positive displacement pumps are arranged in parallel to meet high flow requirements, then total flow capacity is increased, but pressure fluctuations and volume differences occur in the combined discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reciprocating pumps in parallel while interconnecting their discharge valve cylinder chambers through a common hydraulic line. This merging allows the individual pumps to operate independently for high flow capacity while their valve control systems remain synchronized, eliminating volume differences and pressure fluctuations in the combined discharge flow.
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 system achieves a pulsation-free discharge flow with consistent product quality by eliminating volume and pressure fluctuations, ensuring that the pre-compression stroke is fully completed before switching, and maintaining synchronized operation of discharge valves to prevent unwanted flow deviations.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic line interconnects both cylinder chambers such that no volume difference occurs in the discharge of the slurry medium
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to a hydraulic pump system for handling a slurry medium at least comprising at least two reciprocating positive displacement pumps, both pumps being arranged for alternating intake of slurry medium via a suction inlet and discharge of slurry medium via a discharge outlet, and piston/cylinder discharge valves for alternating closing and opening each discharge outlet. In a first aspect, embodiments are disclosed of a hydraulic pump system for handling a slurry medium, comprising at least two reciprocating positive displacement pumps, both pumps being arranged for alternating intake of slurry medium via a suction inlet and discharge of slurry medium via a discharge outlet, and piston/cylinder discharge valves for alternating closing and opening each discharge outlet, as well as control means for controlling the alternate closing and opening of both piston/cylinder discharge valves, such that during operation no volume difference occurs in the discharge of slurry medium. In another aspect of the hydraulic pump system said control means comprise a lever assembly interconnecting the pistons of both piston/cylinder driven valves.