Reciprocating Pump Chamber Layout for Leakage and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reciprocating pumps for liquefied gases suffer from fluid leakage through seals and expansion of fluid in the cylinder, leading to reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating pump design with multiple chambers and seals, including an inflow, reset, and pressurizing chamber, along with a communication passage and leakage discharge check valve, to manage fluid leakage and maintain pressure for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If seals are used to prevent fluid leakage between the piston and cylinder, then fluid loss is reduced, but evaporation of liquefied gas increases due to sliding heat from the seals
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is divided into multiple chambers (inflow chamber, reset chamber, intermediate chamber, pressurizing chamber) separated by multiple seals (first seal, second seal, third seal). This segmentation allows the system to manage leakage and heat generation in different zones, with leakage discharge ports providing controlled release paths that reduce the harmful effects of seal friction on liquefied gas evaporation.
2Productivity
If the piston moves to suck in fluid, then fluid intake is enabled, but the remaining fluid in the cylinder expands and prevents pressure decrease, hindering further fluid suction
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is segmented into inflow chamber, reset chamber, intermediate chamber, and pressurizing chamber. This segmentation isolates the suction process to the inflow chamber while other chambers can be reset independently, allowing pressure to decrease properly in the inflow chamber during suction strokes without being hindered by expanded fluid in other chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The reset chamber and intermediate chamber are prepared in advance during the discharge stroke, with fluid being moved to these chambers before the suction stroke begins. This preliminary action ensures that when the suction stroke occurs, the inflow chamber is clear and can accept new fluid without resistance from expanded remaining fluid.
3Loss of substance
If multiple seals are arranged in the gap between the piston and cylinder, then fluid leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple seals (first seal, second seal, third seal) positioned at different locations in the cylinder gap. Each seal handles specific leakage paths between chambers, providing comprehensive sealing coverage. The segmentation is complemented by leakage discharge ports that provide controlled release paths, managing the complexity through systematic organization of sealing and discharge functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple seals serve multiple functions: preventing fluid leakage between chambers, managing pressure differentials, and working in conjunction with leakage discharge ports to control evaporation. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by providing comprehensive fluid management across different operational requirements.
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 reduces fluid leakage and ensures sufficient fluid intake, improving the efficiency of the pump by maintaining pressure and preventing fluid loss.
Implementation Method 1
a suction check valve (51) coupled to a suction port (26A) of the cylinder (26); an inlet check valve (52) and an outlet check valve (53) disposed in a piston passage (40) extending through the piston (30); a discharge check valve (54) coupled to a discharge port (26B) of the cylinder (26)
Implementation Method 2
a first seal (31), a second seal (32), and a third seal (33) arranged in a gap between an inner surface of the cylinder (26) and an outer surface of the piston (30)
Data Source
AI summary
The reciprocating pump includes a cylinder having an inflow chamber, a reset chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a pressurizing chamber therein, a piston located in the cylinder, a first seal, a second seal, and a third seal arranged in a gap between an inner surface of the cylinder and an outer surface of the piston, a suction check valve coupled to a suction port, an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve disposed in a piston passage, a discharge check valve coupled to a discharge port, and a leakage discharge check valve coupled to a leakage discharge port of the cylinder. The piston has a communication passage that provides a fluid communication between the piston passage and the intermediate chamber.