Pressure-Matched Dual-Pump Fluid Delivery for Pulsation-Free Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems that combine flows from multiple pumps often experience pressure pulsations and fluctuations, which are undesirable in downstream applications like high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery system that includes pressure sensors and a controller system to monitor and adjust the valve position between multiple pumps, ensuring continuous fluid flow by synchronizing the operation of pumps and valves to maintain equal pressure, thereby preventing pressure pulsations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two or more pumps are used to drive input fluid streams, then fluid delivery capacity is improved, but pressure pulsations and flow interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous fluid delivery by ensuring that at least one pump is always active and delivering fluid to the outlet. When switching between pumps, the transition is managed so that flow continuity is preserved, preventing interruptions while still utilizing multiple pumps for enhanced delivery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor the fluid pressure in the system, and this feedback information is used by the controller to coordinate pump operations and valve positioning. The controller adjusts pump activation and valve states based on real-time pressure readings to eliminate pulsations while maintaining continuous flow.
2Device complexity
If multiple pumps operate alternately to provide fluid flow, then system complexity is reduced, but pressure fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
A valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the pumps and the outlet to manage fluid flow transitions. The valve coordinates with the pump operations to ensure smooth switching between pumps, allowing the system to maintain low complexity while achieving pressure stability through the mediating action of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of pump operations and valve positioning based on real-time pressure feedback. The controller continuously adjusts the operational state of pumps and valve positions to adapt to changing conditions, maintaining pressure stability while using simple alternating pump operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If valve position is adjusted to control flow rate, then fluid delivery precision is improved, but flow continuity may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-coordinates valve positioning with pump switching operations. Before a pump transition occurs, the valve is positioned in advance to ensure that flow continuity is maintained during the switch. This preliminary action allows for precise flow rate control through valve adjustment without interrupting the continuous flow to the outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery system for continuous fluid flow includes a first inlet in fluidic communication with a first pump, a first pressure sensor for detecting a first fluid pressure downstream from the first pump, a second inlet in fluidic communication with a second pump, a second pressure sensor for detecting a second fluid pressure downstream from the second pump, an outlet, a valve including a first position and a second position, wherein the first position fluidically connects the first inlet with the outlet, and the second position fluidically connects the first inlet, the second inlet, and the outlet, and a controller system including a processor and memory. The controller system is communicatively coupled with the first pump, the second pump, the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the valve, wherein the controller system receives signals indicative of the first fluid pressure from the first pressure sensor and the second fluid pressure from the second pressure sensor, wherein the processor is programmed to direct the valve to move from the first position to the second position in response to the first fluid pressure being about equal to the second fluid pressure, and to substantially simultaneously cease fluid flow through the first inlet.