Membrane Pump Residual Volume Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positive displacement pumps used for dense and muddy liquids face limitations in maximum intake height due to non-negligible residual volume in the pumping chamber, which restricts the minimum pressure that can be achieved, limiting their ability to draw liquids from deep sources.

Innovation Solution

The design minimizes the residual volume of the pumping chamber by configuring the membrane to adhere to the valve wall in the retracted configuration, ensuring a negligible dead volume, thereby allowing lower pressures to be reached, enabling closer approach to the theoretical maximum intake height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the membrane is configured to fully retract to minimize residual volume, then the maximum intake height is improved, but the membrane may not maintain adequate sealing or structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum intake heightVSAvoidmembrane sealing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane made of elastomeric material that can dynamically change shape between expanded and retracted configurations. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the pumping chamber walls during retraction, minimizing residual volume while maintaining sealing integrity through elastic deformation rather than rigid contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane's physical state is dynamically changed between expanded and retracted configurations through pressure variations. During the intake stroke, the membrane retracts to minimize residual volume and maximize pressure differential. During the delivery stroke, it expands to maintain sealing and structural stability, thus adapting parameters to optimize performance at different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If the residual volume of the pumping chamber is reduced, then the minimum pressure level is improved, but the membrane elasticity and space constraints are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimum pressure levelVSAvoidmembrane elasticity range

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is designed to dynamically transition between expanded and retracted states, allowing the pumping chamber volume to vary continuously. This dynamic configuration enables the system to achieve minimal residual volume during retraction for optimal pressure differential, while maintaining the elasticity and adaptability needed for structural stability during expansion phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane retracts partially rather than completely to the point where structural integrity would be compromised. This partial retraction achieves sufficient volume reduction to minimize residual pressure while leaving enough membrane structure intact to maintain sealing and stability, avoiding the excessive action that would cause membrane failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This configuration allows the pump to draw liquids from heights closer to the maximum theoretical limit, enhancing its capability to handle dense and muddy liquids by achieving lower pressures within the pumping chamber.

Implementation Method 1

The change in volume in a pumping chamber causes an intake and a thrust on a fluid... The release of the membrane increases the volume of the pumping chamber creating a depression that draws liquid into the pumping chamber... The compression of the membrane reduces the volume of the pumping chamber creating an overpressure that expels the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

said at least one membrane, when in the retracted configuration, adheres to the valve wall of the intake valve and the intake valve has the outlet mouth closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11619218B2Positive displacement pump

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 IDEE & PROD SRL

AI summary

The invention relates to a positive displacement pump (10) comprising a pump body (11, 101, 201) comprising an inlet end (16, 116, 216) and an outlet end (18, 118, 218), a pumping chamber (30, 130, 230) arranged between said inlet end (16, 116, 216) and said outlet end (18, 118, 218), at least one membrane (20, 120, 220) active in the pumping chamber (30, 130, 230) and mobile between an expanded configuration in which the volume of the pumping chamber (30, 130, 230) is maximum and a retracted configuration in which the volume of the pumping chamber (30, 130, 230) is minimum, a delivery valve (46, 146, 246) arranged close to the outlet end (18, 118, 218) of the pump body (11, 101, 201), an intake valve (26, 126, 226) comprising an intake mouth (27, 127, 227), an outlet mouth (28, 128, 228) and a valve wall (29, 129, 229) that joins the intake mouth (27, 127, 227) to the outlet mouth (28, 128, 228), the intake mouth (27, 127, 227) being coupled to the inlet end (16, 116, 216) of the pump body (11, 101, 201) and the outlet mouth (28, 128, 228) being inserted in the pumping chamber (30, 130, 230). Said at least one membrane (20, 120, 220), when in the retracted configuration, adheres to the valve wall (29, 129, 229) of the intake valve (26, 126, 226) and the intake valve has the outlet mouth closed.