Diaphragm Metering Pump Degassing via Check Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphragm metering pumps often experience vapor lock due to trapped gas, which reduces or arrests fluid discharge, and existing solutions require additional plumbing or valves to alleviate this issue.
Innovation Solution
A degassing system with a check valve actuator that selectively unseats a check valve to allow trapped gases to pass through the discharge side, eliminating the need for additional hardware and ensuring all liquid is passed to the destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bleed valve is added to allow trapped gas to escape, then vapor lock is alleviated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve actuator automatically activates to unseat the check valve when gas accumulation is detected, allowing the system to self-regulate without external intervention. The actuator is selectively activated based on operational conditions, enabling the pump to autonomously prevent vapor lock while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The degassing function is integrated into the existing discharge side of the pump by combining the check valve, valve seat, and actuator within the head portion. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate bleed valves and additional plumbing systems, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
2Reliability
If gas is discharged to ambient through a bleed valve, then vapor lock is relieved, but loss of substance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator selectively unseats the check valve to extract only the trapped gas from the head portion while allowing the liquid to continue flowing through the discharge side to the destination. This selective extraction prevents fluid loss by directing gas removal through the existing discharge path rather than venting to ambient.
3Reliability
If additional plumbing is installed to return gas and fluid to source, then vapor lock is prevented, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge side of the pump serves multiple functions: it transports liquid to the destination and simultaneously provides a pathway for gas removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate return piping, as the existing discharge infrastructure handles both liquid delivery and gas venting to the destination.
Data Source
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AI summary
A diaphragm metering pump includes a pump body having a head portion including a suction side and a discharge side defining a flow path. A valve seat is arranged at one of the suction side and the discharge side, and a check valve is arranged at the valve seat. A degassing system includes a check valve actuator operatively connected to the check valve. The check valve actuator is selectively activated to unseat the check valve from the valve seat to allow gases trapped in the head portion to pass through the discharge side.