Reciprocating Lubricant Pump With Internal Venting and Grease Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant pumps for delivering grease to delivery systems often require a separate venting mechanism to relieve pressure, which can be prone to dirt, moisture, and mechanical damage, and lack efficiency in recirculating lubricant back to the reservoir.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant pump design featuring a housing with a vent chamber and a movable valve element that allows internal recirculation of lubricant from the central bore to the vent outlet port, eliminating the need for an external vent valve and hose, and enabling protected and efficient lubricant return to the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate external vent valve and hose are used to relieve pressure in the delivery system, then the pressure relief function is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to dirt, moisture, and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The venting mechanism is merged with the pump housing by integrating the vent chamber directly into the housing structure. The valve element is positioned within the vent chamber such that it can obstruct both the inlet and outlet passages simultaneously, combining the venting function with the existing pump structure and eliminating the need for separate external vent valves and hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element acts as an intermediary component that controls fluid flow between the central bore and the vent outlet port. By positioning the valve element within the housing and using it to obstruct both inlet and outlet passages, the system achieves protected venting without requiring external vulnerable components.
2Productivity
If an external vent valve and hose are used for pressure relief, then the venting function is provided, but the system lacks efficiency in recirculating lubricant back to the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The vent chamber is integrated into the pump housing structure, combining the venting function with the pumping mechanism. This integration creates direct internal flow paths that enable efficient lubricant recirculation back to the reservoir without requiring external hoses or separate venting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system performs its own venting and recirculation functions through the integrated vent chamber and valve element. The system uses its internal components to relieve pressure and return lubricant to the reservoir, eliminating the need for external venting equipment and improving overall system efficiency.
3Reliability
If the valve element obstructs both chamber inlet and outlet passages, then protected internal venting is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is designed to simultaneously obstruct both the inlet and outlet passages of the vent chamber when in the obstructed position. This dual-obstruction capability is achieved by positioning the valve element within the vent chamber such that a single component performs the function of sealing both passages, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining protection from dirt and moisture.
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 enhances protection of the valve element, reduces mechanical vulnerabilities, and improves lubricant recirculation efficiency by integrating the venting mechanism within the pump housing, thus simplifying the lubricant delivery and pressure relief process.
Implementation Method 1
A movable valve element is disposed within the vent chamber and is displaceable along an axis between a first position, in which the valve element obstructs at least one of the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and a second position. In the valve element second position, the chamber inlet is fluidly connected with the chamber outlet to provide an internal flow path from the central bore to the vent outlet port.
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant pump includes a housing mountable to the upper end of a lubricant container and having a vertical central bore, an outlet passage extending between the central bore and an outlet port fluidly connectable with the lubricant distributor and a vent chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A vent inlet passage extends between the central bore and the vent chamber inlet and a vent outlet passage extends between the vent chamber outlet and a vent outlet port fluidly connectable with a container cavity. A movable valve element is disposed within the vent chamber and displaceable along an axis between a position in which the valve element obstructs the chamber inlet and/or the chamber outlet and a second position in which the chamber inlet is fluidly connected with the chamber outlet to provide an internal flow path from the central bore to the vent outlet port.