Elastic Membrane Pulsation Damper for Compact Fluid Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulsation dampers for fluid systems are not compact, simple, or cost-effective, and they do not consistently achieve high reliability in damping fluid pulsations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pulsation damper design featuring a casing with an elastic membrane that forms the inner chamber, an outer chamber, and inlet and outlet ports, where the elastic membrane absorbs pulsations radially, potentially with a core element for additional damping, and optionally filled with pressurized gas to enhance damping effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pulsation dampers use complex structures with multiple components, then damping effectiveness may be improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the membrane element and casing into an integrated pulsation damper design where the elastic membrane is directly mounted within the casing to form a unified structure. This merging of components achieves effective pulsation damping while reducing the number of separate parts, thereby lowering device complexity and manufacturing cost compared to traditional multi-component dampers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastic membrane (flexible thin film) as the core damping element that expands and contracts to absorb pulsations in the fluid flow. This flexible membrane approach provides effective pulsation damping with a simple, lightweight structure, avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanical damping components.
2Volume of moving object
If pulsation dampers are designed to be compact, then installation space is reduced, but damping performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic membrane utilizes its flexibility and elasticity to provide effective pulsation damping within a compact volume. The membrane's ability to expand and contract absorbs energy from pressure surges, delivering reliable damping performance in a space-efficient design that does not compromise effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the damping performance within compact dimensions by carefully selecting and tuning parameters such as membrane material properties, thickness, pre-tension, and geometric configuration. These parameter adjustments enable the small-scale damper to achieve damping effectiveness comparable to larger traditional designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple designs are used for pulsation dampers, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but damping reliability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the membrane and casing into a unified structure with fewer separate components, the patent reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity, lowering production costs. The simplified design maintains damping reliability through the effective use of the elastic membrane's inherent damping capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective materials and manufacturing methods for the elastic membrane and casing, creating an economically viable damper solution. The design accepts that the membrane may have limited service life under cyclic loading but compensates through affordable replacement and simple overall construction.
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 achieves a compact, simple, and cost-effective solution with excellent damping performance, capable of multiple damping events by utilizing an elastic membrane that absorbs pulsations radially and can be enhanced with a pressurized outer chamber for improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane accommodated in the casing... the elastic membrane absorbs pulsations radially
Implementation Method 2
optionally filled with pressurized gas to enhance damping effectiveness
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a damper for reducing pulsation of a fluid flow. The damper for reducing pulsation of a fluid flow comprises a casing (110; 210; 310); an elastic membrane (120; 220; 320) accommodated in the casing (110; 210; 310); an outer chamber (130; 230; 330) arranged between the elastic membrane (120; 220; 320) and the casing (110; 210; 310); an inner chamber (140; 240; 340) defined inside the elastic membrane (120; 220; 320); and an inlet port (150; 250; 350) and an outlet port (160; 260; 360) coupled to the inner chamber (140; 240; 340), wherein the elastic membrane (120; 220; 320) forms at least partially the walls of the inner chamber (140; 240; 340), wherein the inlet port (150; 250; 350) and the outlet port (160; 260; 360) are arranged such that propagation of a pulsation of fluid in the inner chamber (140; 240; 340) from the inlet port (150; 250; 350) to the outlet port (160; 260; 360) is damped by absorption at the membrane (120; 220; 320).