Peristaltic Pumphead with Auxiliary Leak Detection Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps face challenges in detecting leaks within the pumphead housing, leading to potential fluid accumulation due to the complexity of leak detection systems and the risk of valve failure, which can result in excessive fluid buildup when a tube ruptures.
Innovation Solution
A peristaltic pumphead design featuring a pumping chamber and an auxiliary dry chamber in fluid communication, with a valve that opens upon connection to a drive unit, and an optical liquid detector using infra-red light reflection to detect leaks, allowing for efficient fluid diversion and prevention of lubricant drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a normally closed valve is provided at the outlet to prevent lubricant drainage, then lubricant retention is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for a complex leak detection system to open the valve when a leak occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is divided into two separate chambers: a pumping chamber for the peristaltic pumping action and an auxiliary chamber that serves as a leak collection reservoir. This segmentation allows the lubricant to remain in the pumping chamber during normal operation while providing a dedicated space to collect leaked fluids without requiring a complex valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of leaked fluid accumulation is extracted by providing a separate auxiliary chamber that collects leaked lubricant and pumped fluid. This removes the problematic fluid accumulation from the pumping chamber while maintaining a simple open communication path between chambers, eliminating the need for complex detection and valve systems.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a complex leak detection system is implemented to open the normally closed valve when a leak occurs, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary chamber serves a dual function: it acts as both the leak collection reservoir and the leak detection mechanism. When liquid accumulates in the auxiliary chamber from a tube leak, it automatically displaces the lubricant back into the pumping chamber, providing both detection and response functions without requiring separate sensors or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The leak detection function is merged with the lubricant retention and leak collection functions by using the auxiliary chamber as both the detection sensor and the response mechanism. The presence of leaked fluid in the auxiliary chamber automatically triggers the displacement of lubricant, combining detection and correction in a single passive system.
3Reliability
If the valve is kept closed during normal operation to prevent lubricant drainage, then lubricant retention is improved, but the risk of excessive fluid buildup increases when the valve fails to open upon leak detection
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary chamber is pre-configured as a safety reservoir that can accommodate excessive leaked fluid. This beforehand cushioning capacity prevents harmful fluid buildup in the pumping chamber by providing a predetermined space for leak accumulation, eliminating the risk associated with valve failure to open.
4Device complexity
If the pumphead is designed with a simple open communication between chambers, then device complexity is reduced, but lubricant drainage from the pumping chamber is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The communication between chambers is designed with local quality control: the auxiliary chamber is positioned and dimensioned to receive only leaked fluids and displaced lubricant, while the pumping chamber maintains its lubricant. The local properties of each chamber (pumping chamber for active pumping with lubricant, auxiliary chamber for passive leak collection) ensure that simple open communication does not result in harmful lubricant drainage.
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 design effectively manages leaks by diverting fluid from the pumping chamber to an auxiliary chamber, reducing wear on tubes and rollers, and providing a reliable method for detecting fluid presence, thus preventing excessive accumulation and enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
an optical liquid detector using infra-red light reflection to detect leaks
Implementation Method 2
a pressing element for exerting a peristaltic action on a tube extending within the pumping chamber
Implementation Method 3
The valve may comprise a biasing element which biases the valve into the closed condition
Data Source
AI summary
A peristaltic pumphead is provided that has a pumping chamber within which is disposed a pressing element for exerting a peristaltic action on a tube extending within the pumping chamber, and an auxiliary chamber which in normal use is a dry chamber. The pumping chamber and the auxiliary chamber are arranged in fluid communication such that liquid which escapes from the tube into the pumping chamber flows from the pumping chamber into the auxiliary chamber.