Flow-Through Piston Pulsation Dampener for Viscous Hot Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pulsation dampeners struggle with viscous and high-temperature fluids, leading to material damage and inefficiencies due to fluid solidification, which interferes with pumping system performance and requires frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A piston-based fluid pulsation dampener design using stainless steel components and perfluoroelastomer seals, with a dual gas chamber system and U-cup seals to maintain consistent performance and clean the internal walls, along with a proximity sensor to monitor piston position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional dampener designs are used with viscous high-temperature fluids, then the dampener can operate at extreme temperatures, but the internal walls become contaminated with solidified fluid requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful interaction between viscous fluid and internal walls by implementing a flow-through arrangement where fluid enters and exits laterally, preventing contact with the piston and internal surfaces. The piston is positioned to be tangent to or slightly offset from the inner surface of inlet/outlet passages, creating a clearance that eliminates fluid accumulation zones where solidification would occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampener design allows the fluid flow itself to prevent solidification by maintaining continuous movement through the system. The flow-through configuration ensures fluid constantly circulates rather than stagnating, and the piston positioning creates automatic drainage paths that prevent fluid from settling and solidifying on internal surfaces.
2Reliability
If the piston is positioned close to the inlet/outlet passages to maximize dampening effect, then pulsation absorption is improved, but fluid can accumulate around the piston causing solidification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the piston relative to the inlet and outlet passages. The piston is configured to be tangent to or slightly offset from the inner surface of at least one passage, creating an intentional asymmetric clearance zone. This asymmetric design allows the piston to maintain close proximity for effective dampening while ensuring fluid flow paths remain open and prevent accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional axial arrangement to a lateral flow-through configuration. Fluid enters and exits perpendicular to the piston stroke direction, creating a three-dimensional flow pattern that circumvents the piston rather than passing axially through it. This dimensional change allows the piston to be positioned close to passages for maximum dampening effect while preventing fluid accumulation in dead zones.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard sealing materials are used, then the dampener can be manufactured cost-effectively, but the seals fail at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies the use of perfluoroelastomer material for the U-cup seals, which is a specialized high-temperature elastomer composite. This material combines fluorinated polymer chains with enhanced thermal stability, allowing the seals to maintain their elastic properties and sealing effectiveness at temperatures up to 446° F. and beyond, far exceeding the capabilities of standard rubber seals.
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 design effectively dampens fluid pulsations, maintains performance across extreme temperatures, prevents fluid solidification, and ensures efficient operation by keeping the dampener clean, reducing maintenance and enhancing system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first end of the piston comprises a first U-cup seal that seals against an interior surface of the cylindrical sleeve, and the second end of the piston comprises a second U-cup seal that seals against the interior surface of the cylindrical sleeve
Implementation Method 2
A fluid pulsation dampener can be used to smooth out the fluid flow by absorbing such pulsations and providing extra pressure when needed
Implementation Method 3
a first gas chamber defined at least partially by the first cap, the first end of the piston, and a portion of the interior surface of the cylindrical sleeve that is between the first cap and the first end of the piston
Implementation Method 4
a proximity sensor coupled to the second cap, wherein the piston further comprises a magnet, and wherein the proximity sensor is positioned such that it can detect the magnet of the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pulsation dampener includes a housing; a piston moveable with respect to the housing along a first direction between an extended position and a retracted position, a gas chamber that is exposed to a first end of the piston; a liquid chamber that is exposed to a second end of the piston; a fluid inlet passage and a fluid outlet passage for fluidly coupling the fluid pulsation dampener to a fluid pumping system in a flow-through arrangement, the fluid inlet passage and the fluid outlet passage extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the piston is shaped such that, with the piston in the retracted position, a lowest point of the piston is tangent to or close to tangent to an inner surface of at least one of the fluid inlet passage or the fluid outlet passage.