Volumetric Pump Leakage Compensation Using Pressure Difference Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High precision volumetric pumps experience internal leakage due to the absence of seals, leading to increased measurement uncertainty and reduced operational lifetime, necessitating frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus with pressure sensors at the inlet and outlet of the pump characterizes and compensates for leakage based on pressure differences, eliminating the need for internal seals and maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If internal seals are installed in the pump to prevent leakage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes internal seals from the pump system entirely. Instead of using mechanical seals to prevent leakage, the system extracts the sealing function and replaces it with a computational compensation approach using pressure sensors and algorithms to account for leakage in real-time, thereby simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sealing system with an electronic/computational system. Pressure sensors detect pressure differences, and a compensation algorithm calculates and corrects for leakage effects, substituting mechanical seal components with sensor-based detection and software-based correction to maintain precision without mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If internal seals are installed in the pump to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair worsens due to increased maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from mechanical components and relocates it to the control system. By removing internal seals, the system eliminates wear-prone mechanical parts that require maintenance, while the control system continuously compensates for leakage, maintaining reliability without compromising ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system performs self-correction for leakage through automated compensation algorithms. The pressure sensors continuously monitor pressure differences, and the control system automatically adjusts measurements to account for leakage, enabling the system to maintain reliability without requiring manual intervention or maintenance of sealing components.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensors and compensation algorithms are implemented, then measurement precision is maintained without internal seals, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they detect pressure differences for leakage compensation, provide operational diagnostics, and enable adaptive control. By making the sensing system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding dedicated components solely for leakage detection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback where pressure sensors continuously monitor pressure differences, the control system processes this data through compensation algorithms, and adjusts measurements in real-time. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical sealing systems, as the electronic feedback loop continuously corrects for leakage effects.
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
Enhances measurement performance and extends the operational lifetime of high precision volumetric pumps by minimizing maintenance needs while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A measurement apparatus with pressure sensors at the inlet and outlet of the pump characterizes and compensates for leakage based on pressure differences
Data Source
AI summary
Compensation of pressure driven leakage while using high precision volumetric pumps may be provided. A measurement apparatus comprising a pump may be calibrated. Calibrating the measurement apparatus may comprise creating a characterization of leakage through the pump as a function of a pressure difference over the pump. The measurement apparatus may be operated for a predetermined time period to pump a liquid. A measurement of a flow through the measurement apparatus may be determined based on the amount of rotation of the piston. The measurement of the flow may be compensated for leakage of the pump while the measurement apparatus operated for the predetermined time period based on the characterization of leakage and the amount of piston rotation during the period and the monitored pressure difference over the pump.