Lead Screw Piston Pump for Oil-Free Soil Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic and pneumatic piston pumps for injecting fluids like cement, resins, and oxidizing agents suffer from inefficiencies, environmental pollution, high noise, large size, and safety risks due to oil leaks and component ejection.

Innovation Solution

A brushless or stepping motor-driven piston pump with a worm screw and recirculating ball lead screw nut system, integrated with a fluid-dynamic cylinder, uses a flexible coupling and hollow transmission cylinder to manage piston speed and reduce noise, while eliminating oil leaks and simplifying maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If hydraulic or pneumatic circuits are used to drive piston pumps, then high operating pressure can be achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to significant power dissipation in heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating pressureVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic drive systems with an electric motor directly coupled to the piston pump mechanism. This substitution eliminates the intermediate fluid power conversion stage that causes significant energy losses, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining the capability to achieve high operating pressures through direct electric drive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stress or pressure

If hydraulic circuits are used to drive piston pumps, then high operating pressure can be achieved, but device weight and overall dimensions increase to withstand the high pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating pressureVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates hydraulic circuits and replaces them with an electric motor-driven mechanical system. This substitution removes the need for heavy hydraulic components such as high-pressure hoses, reservoirs, and complex valve assemblies, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining the capability to generate high operating pressures through direct electric drive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stress or pressure

If hydraulic oil is used in piston pumps, then high operating pressure can be achieved, but environmental pollution occurs due to oil leaks during operation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating pressureVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic oil-based systems with an electric motor-driven system that uses no hydraulic fluid. This elimination of hydraulic oil completely prevents oil leaks during both normal operation and maintenance activities, thereby eliminating the associated environmental pollution while maintaining high operating pressure capability through direct electric drive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Stress or pressure

If hydraulic oil is used in piston pumps, then high operating pressure can be achieved, but operating noise increases due to fluid hammer and hydraulic pump noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating pressureVSAvoidoperating noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic systems with an electric motor-driven system that eliminates hydraulic fluid flow. This substitution removes the sources of hydraulic noise including fluid hammer during direction changes and noise from hydraulic pumps, thereby significantly reducing operating noise while maintaining high operating pressure through direct electric drive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Weight of moving object

If pneumatic systems are used to operate pumps, then device weight is reduced due to lower operating pressure, but device dimensions increase due to larger piston bore requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pneumatic systems with an electric motor-driven system. This substitution eliminates the need for large-volume pneumatic components such as big-bore pistons and large air reservoirs, thereby reducing device dimensions while maintaining lightweight characteristics through the use of compact electric motor and direct-drive mechanics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

6Weight of moving object

If pneumatic systems are used to operate pumps, then device weight is reduced, but operating noise increases due to high expansion speed of compressed gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoidoperating noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pneumatic systems with an electric motor-driven system. This substitution eliminates the high-speed expansion of compressed gases that causes loud noise in pneumatic systems, thereby maintaining lightweight design while significantly reducing operating noise through smooth electric motor operation and direct mechanical drive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 new device achieves higher efficiency, reduced size and weight, controlled piston speed, and enhanced safety by preventing oil leaks and noise, with a compact design and simplified maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a lead screw nut with recirculating balls, operated by means of a brushless motor or a stepping motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLead screw mechanism with recirculating balls: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a piston pump, of the double-acting or plunger type, driven by a worm screw or threaded shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm screw mechanism: Worm Drive

Implementation Method 3

operated by means of a brushless motor or a stepping motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrushless motor: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 4

at least one fluid-dynamic cylinder for the injection of fluids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston pump mechanism: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4177402B1Device for the injection of fluids such as cement, resins and oxidizing agents for making special foundations and for soil consolidation and reclamation
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 DAI PRA SRL
  • EP4177402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP4177402B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a

AI summary

The invention is a device (100) for the injection of fluids such as cement, resins and oxidizing agents, in particular for making special foundations and for soil consolidation and reclamation, comprising an electric motor (1), of the brushless type or of the stepping type, a fluid-dynamic cylinder (20) for the injection of fluids and means for transmitting motion between said electric motor (1) and the piston (24) of said at least one fluid-dynamic cylinder (20).