Pump Communication Portion Contracts Gas Volume to Prevent Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps fail to reliably feed liquid from the suction section to the discharge section when gas is mixed in the liquid, leading to a gas lock state that prevents liquid transfer.
Innovation Solution
A pump design with a suction section, discharge section, suctioning-side and discharge-side check valves, and a communication portion between the pump and discharge sections, where the communication portion's size is set to contract the volume of gas mixed in the liquid, ensuring continuous communication and reliable liquid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pump section communicates only with the suction section during expansion, then liquid is suctioned into the pump section, but gas mixed in the liquid cannot be discharged and remains in the pump section
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into multiple communication paths: the suction section connection for liquid intake and the discharge section connection for gas discharge. This segmentation allows different functions (liquid suction and gas discharge) to occur simultaneously through separate channels, resolving the contradiction between liquid suction and gas removal
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge section acts as an intermediary pathway that provides a pressure relief route for gas. By connecting the pump section to the discharge section during expansion, gas can escape through this intermediary path while liquid continues to be suctioned through the suction section
2Quantity of substance
If the pump section communicates with the discharge section during contraction, then liquid is discharged from the pump section, but gas volume reduces and may not be fed to the discharge section
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge section connection is established beforehand during the expansion phase, allowing gas to escape before the contraction phase begins. This preliminary action prevents gas from being compressed and trapped during subsequent contraction, avoiding gas lock state
Solution Approach 2:
The communication between pump section and discharge section is maintained continuously during the expansion phase, ensuring gas can escape without interruption. This continuous action prevents gas accumulation that would lead to harmful gas lock state during contraction
3Reliability
If gas remains gradually in liquid in the pump section, then the pump may come into a gas lock state, but the pump structure must maintain check valve functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge-side check valve is designed with dual functionality: it prevents backflow of liquid from the discharge section to the pump section, and simultaneously provides a gas discharge pathway when connected to the pump section during expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate gas discharge mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The gas discharge function is merged with the liquid discharge pathway by establishing communication between the pump section and discharge section. The same check valve structure that controls liquid discharge also manages gas escape, combining multiple functions into a single integrated 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 pump effectively contracts the volume of gas mixed in the liquid, allowing reliable liquid transfer from the suction section to the discharge section, even when gas is present, preventing gas lock states and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump section (1) that suctions liquid by expanding a capacity and discharges liquid by contracting the capacity
Implementation Method 2
a suctioning-side check valve (4) that suppresses a backflow of liquid from the pump section to the suction section
Implementation Method 3
a discharge-side check valve (6) that suppresses a backflow of liquid from the discharge section to the pump section
Implementation Method 4
a communication portion (6b) that provides continuous communication between the pump section and the discharge section in a state in which the discharge-side check valve suppresses the backflow, wherein a size of the communication portion is set so that, when the continuously expanding and contracting pump section contracts, a volume of gas mixed in liquid in the pump section is contracted
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is provided having a communication portion that provides continuous communication between a pump section and a discharge section in a state where a discharge-side check valve suppresses a backflow, and a size of the communication portion is set so that, when the continuously expanding and contracting pump section contracts, a volume of gas mixed in liquid in the pump section is contracted.