Pump assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump assemblies with integrated valve elements that switch between two flow paths based on impeller rotation direction often produce water hammers, leading to undesirable noise due to alternating closure and opening of exits.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly with a valve arrangement featuring two movable valve elements, where one element is moved into an open position by the flow created by the impeller in one rotation direction and the other by the flow in the opposite direction, ensuring that both exits are essentially closed in the idle position, minimizing initial flow and hydraulic energy usage upon startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single movable valve element is used to switch between two exits based on impeller rotation direction, then the valve element can be actuated by flow in one direction, but water hammers and noise occur due to alternating closure and opening of exits
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve element is divided into two separate valve elements (first and second valve elements), each responsible for controlling one exit. This segmentation allows independent control of each exit, preventing the water hammer effect caused by alternating closure and opening of a single valve element.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve elements are designed to be pre-positioned in a closed state by restoring elements (springs) before flow acts on them. This preliminary positioning ensures that exits remain closed until intentionally opened by flow in the desired direction, preventing unintended water hammers during startup or direction changes.
2Productivity
If exits are left open in idle position, then flow can pass through easily, but hydraulic energy is wasted and water hammers occur upon startup
Solution Approach 1:
The restoring elements (springs) are pre-loaded to hold the valve elements in a closed position during idle state. This preliminary closing action prevents hydraulic energy loss and water hammers, while allowing quick opening when flow is generated in the desired direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own generated flow to automatically open the appropriate valve element. When the impeller rotates in a specific direction, the generated flow automatically acts on the corresponding valve element to open it, eliminating the need for external actuation and ensuring efficient flow passage once activated.
3Reliability
If valve elements are held closed by restoring elements, then exits remain closed in idle position, but additional components and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The restoring elements (springs) are integrated into the valve element assembly itself, allowing the valve elements to be self-actuating. The springs automatically return the valve elements to closed position without external control, while flow in the desired direction automatically opens the appropriate valve element, simplifying the overall control 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
This design minimizes water hammers and noise by ensuring that one valve element opens only after the pump is started, using internal flow to move it, and the other opens when the direction is reversed, allowing for gentle and quiet switching between flow paths.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element can be moved in a targeted manner between several switch positions due to the different flow directions
Implementation Method 2
an electrical drive motor, whose rotor is connected to the impeller in a rotationally fixed manner, in a manner such that the electrical drive motor can drive the impeller in rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A pump assembly includes pump casing (2), an impeller (14) rotatably arranged in the pump casing, a two rotation directions (A, B) electrical drive motor connected to drive the impeller and a valve arrangement (28) arranged in the pump casing to switch a flow path downstream of the impeller between two exits (24, 26) of the pump casing, depending on a rotation direction of the impeller. The valve arrangement includes a first movable valve element (34) at a first exit (24) and a second movable valve element (36) at a second exit (26). The first valve element partly closes the first exit in a closed position and is movable into an opened position by flow in the first rotation direction and the second valve element partly closes the second exit in a closed position and is movable into an opened position by flow in the second rotation direction (B).