Linear Motor Diaphragm Pump for Flow Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic diaphragm pumps, particularly hose diaphragm pumps, face limitations such as flow variation, frictional losses, and precision issues due to the crank and connecting rod drive mechanism, leading to uneven output flow, high peak pressures, and challenges in maintaining a net positive suction head pressure.
Innovation Solution
A positive displacement pump design utilizing a linear motor to drive a working fluid piston within a drive cylinder, which alternately applies constrictive and expansive forces to deformable hose diaphragms through working fluid compression jackets, ensuring a substantially constant velocity and controlled flow, thereby reducing flow variation and improving precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crank and connecting rod drive mechanism is used to drive the piston, then the pump can achieve reciprocating motion, but the piston velocity varies significantly (peak velocity greater than mean velocity by a factor of at least 1.6), causing flow variation and frictional losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional crank and connecting rod mechanical drive system with a linear motor that directly drives the piston along a linear guide. This substitution eliminates the variable velocity characteristics inherent in crank mechanisms, providing constant piston velocity and thereby eliminating flow variation and reducing frictional losses while maintaining reciprocating motion capability.
2Productivity
If a crank and connecting rod drive mechanism is used, then the pump can deliver pumped media, but there is substantial flow variation during constriction or expansion phase, requiring surge control reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the crank and connecting rod mechanism with a linear motor-driven piston system, the patent eliminates the flow variation that necessitates surge control reservoirs. The linear motor provides constant velocity motion throughout the piston stroke, ensuring uniform flow delivery without requiring additional surge control components.
3Power
If a crank and connecting rod drive mechanism is used, then the pump can operate, but the peak pressure of pumped media output flow and minimum suction pressure are significantly higher and lower than mean pressure, limiting suction head capability
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor-driven piston system eliminates the pressure fluctuations caused by crank mechanism acceleration and deceleration. By maintaining constant piston velocity throughout the stroke, the system delivers uniform pressure output, eliminating the significant peak and minimum pressure variations that limit suction head capability and compromise reliability.
4Productivity
If a crank and connecting rod drive mechanism is used, then the pump can achieve piston displacement, but the required crank drive input varies depending on piston position, limiting precision and accuracy of piston displacement control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the crank and connecting rod mechanism with a linear motor that directly controls piston position along a linear guide. This substitution provides precise and accurate piston displacement control because the linear motor can be electrically controlled to deliver exact displacement amounts independent of piston position, eliminating the varying drive input requirements of mechanical crank systems.
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 linear motor-driven pump achieves a more consistent and controlled flow, reduces frictional losses, and maintains a stable minimum suction pressure, enhancing the overall efficiency and precision of the pumping process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one linear motor attached to the working fluid drive piston such that a linear reciprocating motion of the linear motor drives a reciprocating motion of the working fluid drive piston within the working fluid drive cylinder assembly
Implementation Method 2
a reciprocating movement of the working fluid drive piston driven by the linear motor alternatingly applies a constrictive and expansive force to each of the first and second deformable hose diaphragms
Implementation Method 3
first and second deformable hose diaphragms, wherein each said pumping chamber is fluidly connected to an inlet end and an outlet end
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to positive displacement pumps, and particularly to diaphragm positive displacement pumps. An inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump is provided comprising at least one pumping chamber containing a deformable hose diaphragm, a working fluid cylinder fluidly connected to the deformable hose diaphragm, and at least one linear motor to displace the working fluid within the working fluid cylinder and thereby increase and decrease the volume of the pumping chamber. An inventive method of controlling an inventive diaphragm positive displacement pump comprising at least one pumping chamber and powered by at least one linear motor is also provided.