Lubrication Control System for Centrifugal Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubrication systems for centrifugal separators are not reliable enough in delivering precise and verified pulses of lubricant to lubrication stations, as they often rely on inaccurate volumetric measurements and lack effective verification methods.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication control system comprising a lubricant supply arrangement with a displacement pump, an elastic chamber, a pressure transmitter, and a control computer that regulates the delivery of pulsed volumes of lubricant, ensuring accurate pressure measurement and verification, and an outlet export valve for precise lubricant delivery, with error signaling for deviations from required volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional volumetric measurement methods (oval gear meter, probe cooling, pressure loss) are used to monitor lubricant pulses, then the system structure remains simple, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical volumetric measurement methods (oval gear meter, probe cooling) with a pressure-based measurement system. A pressure transmitter measures pressure changes in an elastic chamber when lubricant pulses are delivered, and the control computer calculates volume from pressure data using the chamber's known compliance characteristics. This substitution provides more accurate and reliable measurements without complex mechanical moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an elastic chamber as an intermediary between the pump and the lubrication station. This chamber acts as a buffer that allows precise pressure measurement during lubricant delivery while isolating the measurement system from the high-flow lubrication station. The elastic chamber's known compliance characteristics enable accurate volume calculation from pressure changes.
2Reliability
If pulse verification with sensors is implemented, then some monitoring capability is provided, but the reliability and exactness of delivery verification remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the pressure transmitter continuously monitors pressure in the elastic chamber, and the control computer compares measured pressure values against expected values for correct lubricant delivery. The system provides feedback through error signals when delivery deviates from specifications, enabling reliable verification of lubricant pulse delivery without complex additional hardware.
3Extent of automation
If compressed gas pulses drive the displacement pump, then precise pulse timing and volume control are achieved, but the system requires additional gas supply infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compressed gas pulses to drive the displacement pump, leveraging pneumatic power transmission to achieve precise and repeatable lubricant pulse delivery. The gas pressure acts on the pump mechanism to generate controlled lubricant volumes at specific timing intervals. This pneumatic actuation provides high automation precision for pulse delivery.
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 ensures reliable and precise delivery of lubricant pulses to lubrication stations, providing real-time verification and error detection, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of lubrication processes in centrifugal separators.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transmitter measuring the pressure in said elastic chamber at least when a pulsed volume is received in the elastic chamber
Implementation Method 2
an elastic chamber to receive said pulsed volumes of lubricant from the pump
Implementation Method 3
at least one pump supplying successive pulsed volumes of lubricant from the lubricant supply arrangement
Implementation Method 4
The displacement pump is driven by compressed gas, and the control computer then is controlling a solenoid valve to deliver intermittent pulses of compressed gas to the displacement pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Lubrication control system (1) for intermittent dosing of lubricant to one or more lubrication stations in a centrifugal separator comprising a lubricant supply arrangement (2) for supplying lubricant to at least one lubrication station. At least one pump (3) is supplying intermittent pulsed volumes of lubricant from the lubricant supply arrangement (2) to at least one lubricant pulse monitoring device (6) comprising an elastic chamber (9) to receive said pulsed volumes of lubricant from the pump (3), an outlet export valve (11) at an outlet (10) from the elastic chamber (9) closing when a pulsed volume is delivered to the elastic chamber (9) and opening to deliver the lubricant to the lubrication station, and a pressure transmitter (14) measuring the pressure in said elastic chamber (9) at least when a pulsed volume is received in the elastic chamber (9). A control computer (5) regulating the pump (3) controlling the pulses, closing the outlet export valve (11) when a pulsed volume is delivered to the elastic chamber (9), controlling the measured pressure in the elastic chamber (9) and opening the outlet export valve for deliverance of lubricant to the lubrication station. Also a corresponding method comprises pumping intermittent pulsed volumes of lubricant to an elastic chamber (9), measuring the pressure in the elastic chamber (9) when the elastic chamber (9) has received a pulsed volume, controlling if the pressure corresponds to a required volume of lubricant, opening an outlet export valve (11) at an outlet (10) of said elastic chamber (9) and emptying the elastic chamber (9) and closing said outlet export valve (11) to receive next pulsed volume of lubricant to the elastic chamber (9).