Piston Pump Segmentation for Groundwater Circulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piston pumps for groundwater circulation systems face challenges in efficiently pumping fluids with varying viscosities and pressures, often generating large pressure differences that can lead to precipitation issues.

Innovation Solution

A piston pump design featuring a hollow cylinder with a piston that can be axially displaced, equipped with mechanical locking elements and a pneumatic or hydraulic drive, allowing for controlled fluid introduction and discharge without large pressure differences, and capable of pumping various fluids including gases and liquids with different viscosities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional piston pumps are used for groundwater circulation, then pumping function is achieved, but large pressure differences are generated causing precipitation issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprecipitationVSAvoidpressure difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) with separate piston arrangements. This segmentation allows independent control of pressure zones, enabling fluid transport while maintaining smaller pressure differences in each segment, thereby reducing precipitation risk in groundwater circulation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different chambers are designed with different functional characteristics - the first chamber handles suction with one piston arrangement, while the second and third chambers handle pressure and discharge with different piston arrangements. This local differentiation optimizes pressure distribution across the system, minimizing harmful pressure differences that cause precipitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If piston pumps pump fluids with varying viscosities and pressures, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid handling capabilityVSAvoidpump structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system uses a universal piston mechanism that can handle different fluid types (water, groundwater, fluids with varying viscosities) through the same basic chamber and piston structure. The mechanical blocking elements and valve arrangements are designed to work across different operating conditions, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized pump designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamically controllable mechanical blocking elements that can open or close based on pressure differential and fluid properties. This dynamic adaptation allows the same pump structure to efficiently handle various fluid viscosities and pressure conditions, maintaining versatility while avoiding the complexity of fixed specialized designs for each fluid type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If mechanical blocking elements are used for fluid control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical control reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical blocking elements are designed to automatically open or close based on pressure differential across the chambers, without requiring external actuation systems. The blocking elements respond to the natural pressure conditions during piston movement, providing reliable mechanical control while minimizing additional complex actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical blocking elements are integrated directly into the piston and chamber structure, combining the sealing, blocking, and valve functions into the existing mechanical components. This merging reduces the need for separate complex valve mechanisms while maintaining reliable mechanical control over fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 flexible and efficient pumping of fluids, particularly water, with reduced pressure differences, a simple and robust construction, and reversible operation, suitable for both groundwater extraction and return, minimizing precipitation in groundwater circulation systems.

Implementation Method 1

A pneumatic or hydraulic drive is provided, by means of which opening and closing movements can be specified in order to convey the transport fluid through the hollow piston cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic or hydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4219943A1Piston pump
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 IEG TECH
  • EP4219943A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219943A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219943A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a piston pump (1) with a hollow cylinder (5) forming a piston housing and a piston axially displaceable within the hollow cylinder (5). The piston has a hollow cylinder (8) which has an outlet opening at its upper end and a first mechanical locking element at its lower end. The hollow cylinder (5) has a base (6) with a second mechanical locking element integrated therein, through which a transport fluid can be introduced into or discharged from a pressure chamber (19) of the hollow cylinder (5). The first mechanical locking element adjoins the pressure chamber (19). A pneumatic or hydraulic drive is provided, by means of which opening and closing movements can be controlled to pump the transport fluid (B) through the hollow cylinder (8).