Multistage Rotary Vacuum Pump Relief Valve With Compressible Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cartridge relief valves in multistage pumps are large and have a high part count, making them difficult to access and service, especially in corrosive environments, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for a smaller, more compact design.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief valve assembly that is configured to be compressed for insertion and elongated for sealing, with the valve seat being part of the pump, allowing for reduced component count and easier assembly and servicing, utilizing a retaining mechanism that can be rotated to engage and disengage the valve assembly between states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a cartridge relief valve is used, then the valve can be easily removed for servicing, but the valve assembly becomes large and has a high part count

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of valve removalVSAvoidpart count
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into two main parts: a stationary valve body integrated into the pump housing and a removable valve core containing the sealing element and spring. This segmentation allows the small valve core to be easily removed for servicing while the larger valve body remains fixed, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element and spring are extracted from the traditional cartridge valve design and integrated directly into the valve body. This extraction eliminates the need for a separate cartridge housing and multiple internal components, reducing the part count while maintaining serviceability through direct access to the sealing element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If a cartridge relief valve is used, then the valve can be easily removed for servicing, but the valve assembly becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of valve removalVSAvoidvalve assembly volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into a fixed valve body and a small removable valve core. Only the compact valve core needs to be removed for servicing, dramatically reducing the volume of the moving object compared to removing an entire cartridge assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The essential functional components (sealing element and spring) are extracted and integrated into the valve body, eliminating the need for a large cartridge housing and reducing the overall volume of the removable portion to just the valve core.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the valve seat is integrated into the pump, then the part count is reduced, but the valve becomes difficult to access and service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepart countVSAvoidvalve accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is segmented into an integrated valve body (seat) and a separate valve core. The valve core is designed with a compact size and simple geometry that allows it to be easily accessed and removed through the pump housing, maintaining serviceability while keeping the valve seat integrated into the pump structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables a compact, low-part-count valve assembly that can be easily inserted, serviced, and replaced, providing effective pressure relief while minimizing the need for complex assembly and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a spring positioned at said sealing end and biased towards said support end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3969760B1A vacuum pump comprising a relief valve and a method of assembly of the relief valve
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 EDWARDS LTD
  • EP3969760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3969760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3969760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multiple stage rotary vacuum pump comprising: a stator comprising multiple pumping stages; at least one inter-stage divider separating two adjacent pumping stages; the at least one inter-stage divider comprising two walls defining a cavity therebetween, an upstream wall bounding an upstream pumping stage and a downstream wall bounding a downstream pumping stage of the two adjacent pumping stages. The cavity comprising at least a portion of a pressure relief fluid flow path, the pressure relief fluid flow path providing a path from an outlet portion of the upstream stage towards an inlet portion of the upstream stage or towards an exhaust, the pressure relief fluid flow path comprising an orifice, the orifice comprising a valve seat; and a pressure relief valve configured to move between a compressed and an elongated state, the pressure relief valve sealing the orifice when in the elongated state and being configured to move to the compressed state such that the orifice is not obstructed, in response to pressure in the upstream stage rising above a predetermined value.