Modular Pump Assembly for Scalable Flood Water Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumping technologies are not versatile or scalable enough to efficiently handle large volumes of water from flood-prone areas to discharge areas, particularly under flood conditions, limiting their application in various environments.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly comprising an impeller with screw blades, a diffuser with vanes, and a pump extension, driven by a power unit, which allows for efficient pumping of water from flooded areas to discharge areas through a scalable and versatile design, including configurations for levee pumps and re-lift pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing pumping technologies are used, then pumping function is provided, but versatility and scalability are insufficient to handle large volumes of water efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is divided into multiple pump modules that can be connected in parallel. Each pump module contains an impeller, diffuser, and pump extension, allowing the system to be scaled by adding or removing modules. This segmentation enables the system to handle variable water volumes efficiently while maintaining versatility across different flood scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed with universal components that can function in multiple configurations. The pump modules can be arranged in parallel for high-volume applications or connected differently for various discharge scenarios. This multi-functionality allows a single design to address diverse flooding conditions without requiring specialized equipment for each situation.
2Productivity
If pump size is increased to handle large volumes of water, then pumping capacity improves, but device complexity and scalability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than designing one large complex pump, the system uses multiple standardized pump modules connected in parallel. Each module maintains a simple, standardized design with an impeller, diffuser, and pump extension. The overall pumping capacity is achieved by the combined output of multiple simple modules rather than one complex large pump.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple identical or similar pump modules are merged together in parallel configuration to achieve high pumping capacity. This combining of simple units creates a powerful system without requiring any single component to be overly complex. The modular approach allows easy addition or removal of modules to match required capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pump design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different flood scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into standardized modules with consistent components (impeller, diffuser, pump extension). This standardization within modules simplifies manufacturing through repetition, while the ability to combine modules in different quantities and configurations provides adaptability to various flood scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
While individual pump modules have fixed designs for manufacturing simplicity, the overall pump assembly is dynamic in its configuration. Modules can be added or removed based on the specific flood scenario, allowing the system to adapt its capacity and layout without requiring custom manufacturing for each situation.
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 solution enables efficient and high-capacity pumping of large volumes of water, accommodating various applications by adjusting size and configuration to suit different flood scenarios, ensuring effective water management during floods.
Implementation Method 1
An impeller assembly may be disposed in the impeller housing interior of the impeller housing. The impeller assembly may include an impeller hub. At least one impeller screw blade may extend from the impeller hub. An impeller shaft may drivingly engage the impeller hub for rotation of the impeller assembly in the impeller housing interior.
Implementation Method 2
At least one diffuser may include a diffuser housing with a diffuser housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the impeller housing outlet end of the impeller housing of the impeller, a diffuser housing outlet end and a diffuser housing interior extending from the diffuser housing intake end to the diffuser housing outlet end. A plurality of diffuser vanes may be disposed in the diffuser housing interior of the diffuser housing.
Data Source
AI summary
Pump assemblies may include a pumping unit. The pumping unit may include at least one impeller having an impeller housing with an impeller housing intake end, an impeller housing outlet end and an impeller housing interior extending from the impeller housing intake end to the impeller housing outlet end. An impeller assembly may be disposed in the impeller housing interior of the impeller housing. The impeller assembly may include an impeller hub. At least one impeller screw blade may extend from the impeller hub. An impeller shaft may drivingly engage the impeller hub for rotation of the impeller assembly in the impeller housing interior. The impeller shaft may be configured for driving connection to the power unit. At least one diffuser may include a diffuser housing with a diffuser housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the impeller housing outlet end of the impeller housing of the impeller, a diffuser housing outlet end and a diffuser housing interior extending from the diffuser housing intake end to the diffuser housing outlet end. A plurality of diffuser vanes may be disposed in the diffuser housing interior of the diffuser housing. At least one pump extension may include a pump extension housing with a pump extension housing intake end disposed in fluid communication with the diffuser housing outlet end of the diffuser housing, a pump extension housing outlet end and a pump extension housing interior extending from the pump extension housing intake end to the pump extension housing outlet end. Methods of pumping a liquid from an area to be drained to a discharge area are also disclosed.