Piston Pump Leak Detection via Evacuation Time Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston pumps in high-performance liquid chromatography systems face challenges in accurately and reliably detecting leaks, which can affect the precision of fluid delivery and sample separation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that involve executing two piston chamber evacuation processes with different evacuation times to compare fluid quantities, allowing for the determination of leaks by measuring fluid discrepancies, and a control unit to adapt piston movement to compensate for leaks, ensuring precise fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional leak detection methods are used in piston pumps, then the detection process is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability of leak detection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The piston chamber evacuation process is divided into multiple segments with different evacuation times. By comparing fluid quantities evacuated in at least two segmented processes with different durations, the method achieves precise leak detection without requiring complex additional detection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection method employs periodic evacuation processes with varying time periods. By repeatedly evacuating the piston chamber with different evacuation times and comparing the fluid quantities, the system achieves reliable leak detection through temporal variation rather than spatial complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the piston pump operates continuously without compensation, then the productivity is maintained, but the fluid delivery accuracy deteriorates due to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors fluid quantities evacuated during periodic piston chamber evacuation processes and compares them against expected values. When leaks are detected through this feedback mechanism, the system automatically compensates by adjusting piston movement parameters, thereby maintaining fluid delivery accuracy without interrupting continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts piston movement parameters such as evacuation time and fluid delivery rate based on detected leak conditions. By dynamically changing these operational parameters, the system compensates for leaks and maintains precise fluid delivery while continuing to operate without interruption.
3Reliability
If leak detection is performed externally, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of leak detection is insufficient for high-pressure HPLC systems
Solution Approach 1:
The leak detection functionality is merged with the existing piston pump control unit. The same control unit that manages piston movement also performs leak detection by analyzing fluid quantities during evacuation processes, eliminating the need for separate external detection devices while enhancing reliability through integrated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls piston movement for fluid delivery, monitors evacuation processes, detects leaks through comparison of fluid quantities, and compensates for detected leaks by adjusting parameters. This multi-functional approach increases reliability without adding separate dedicated detection hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining a leakage of fluid in a piston pump, wherein the piston pump comprises a piston arranged in such a manner that it can reciprocate in a piston chamber for delivering fluid, wherein the device comprises a control unit for controlling the piston in such a manner that the piston executes two piston chamber evacuation processes with different evacuation times, in each case for at least partial evacuating of fluid located in the piston chamber, and a determination unit for determining the leakage based on a comparison of fluid quantities evacuated from the piston chamber in the two piston chamber evacuation processes.