Pump Porting System Dry Run Fluid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impeller pumps face challenges in operating without continuous water flow due to heat generation and mechanical stress on components, which existing solutions address inadequately by using heat-resistant materials that reduce efficiency and increase stress on seals.
Innovation Solution
A porting system within the pump that includes an inlet tube with a trap, an outlet tube with a fill hole, and a reservoir that collects and recirculates fluid, allowing the pump to operate temporarily without water flow and reducing mechanical stress by maintaining a fluid volume for cooling and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If heat-resistant materials are used for the impeller, then the pump can operate longer without water flow, but the pump efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-accumulates a specific volume of fluid in the trap and reservoir before dry run operation begins. This preliminary fluid storage enables the impeller to be cooled and lubricated during extended operation without water flow, achieving both extended dry run capability and maintained efficiency without requiring heat-resistant materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a separate fluid storage system (trap and reservoir) that replicates the cooling and lubrication function normally provided by continuous water flow. This copied fluid supply mechanism allows the pump to operate extended periods without sacrificing efficiency, avoiding the need to change impeller material properties
2Duration of action of moving object
If friction is reduced in the impeller, then the pump can operate longer without water flow, but mechanical stress on seals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills the trap and reservoir with sufficient fluid volume before dry run operation. This ensures that seals and other components are lubricated from the start of extended operation, preventing increased mechanical stress while enabling longer operation without water flow
3Reliability
If continuous water flow is maintained for cooling, then the impeller and pumping chamber are protected from damage, but the pump cannot operate during periods without water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling and lubrication function from the continuous water flow requirement and stores it in the form of pre-accumulated fluid volume in the trap and reservoir. This separated fluid storage system provides protection from damage during extended operation without water flow, achieving both reliability and extended operating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from continuous water flow to stored fluid volume. By accumulating a specific volume of fluid (first volume in trap, second volume in reservoir) before dry run operation, the system maintains cooling and lubrication effectiveness without requiring continuous water supply, enabling extended operation while protected from damage
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
Enables the impeller pump to operate for extended periods without water flow, preventing damage and maintaining efficiency by storing enough fluid to cool and lubricate components, specifically allowing operation for up to 30 minutes without severe damage.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet tube includes a trap in which a first volume of fluid can be collected
Implementation Method 2
The reservoir collects a second volume of fluid substantially equal to the first volume of fluid collected by the trap
Implementation Method 3
The reservoir includes an outlet that returns excess fluid to the pumping chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a pump including an inlet port, an outlet port, a pumping chamber, and a porting system. The porting system includes an inlet tube including a trap in which a first volume of fluid can be collected. The porting system includes a reservoir with a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a partial port wall. The second chamber receives fluid directed over the partial port wall from the pumping chamber. The reservoir collects a second volume of fluid substantially equal to the first volume of fluid. The first volume of fluid and second volume of fluid provide enough fluid trapped inside the pump to allow the pump to temporarily operate when substantially no fluid is flowing into the inlet port.