Spring-Loaded Pump Pressure Relief for Water Hammer Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for protecting electric pumps from overpressures, such as expansion vessels, occupy significant space, are costly to maintain due to wear and rupture of membranes, and are not effective in completely preventing destructive phenomena like hammering.

Innovation Solution

A device with a main body and flow control element that slides between closed and open positions, activated by elastic means to connect or disconnect the delivery port from an outlet, allowing pressure relief without occupying excessive space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expansion vessels are used to protect electric pumps against overpressures, then the pumps are protected against hammering, but the space occupation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against hammeringVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential protective function from the traditional expansion vessel by removing the membrane and compressible fluid, retaining only the pressure relief mechanism. This extraction reduces the volume significantly while maintaining the core protection function against hammering through the spring-loaded ball valve system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a simplified copy of the expansion vessel's protective function using different components - a spring-loaded ball valve instead of a membrane-separated compressible fluid system. This copy achieves the same pressure relief effect with much reduced space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If expansion vessels with membranes are used, then pressure relief is achieved, but maintenance costs increase due to wear and rupture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the expensive, fragile membrane with a robust spring-loaded ball valve system that uses simple, durable components. The ball and valve seat are made of wear-resistant materials, creating a maintenance-free solution that eliminates the need for periodic membrane replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by pre-storing elastic energy that automatically activates to relieve pressure before damage occurs. This prior cushioning through the spring-loaded system prevents the need for reactive maintenance of worn components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If traditional protection devices are installed, then overpressure protection is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverpressure protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the protection function into distinct simple components: a ball valve, spring, valve seat, and housing. Each component performs a single function, making the overall system simpler than the integrated membrane system while achieving the same protective effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a system that requires active management (membrane replacement), the invention inverts the approach by creating a passive, self-activating system where the spring automatically responds to pressure changes, eliminating complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Effectively compensates for instantaneous pressure increases, prevents destructive hammering, is reliable, precise, and cost-effective, while maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means designed to push said flow control element in response to a pressure that is present in said delivery port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flow control element which can slide in said cavity along said axis of extension of the cavity between a closed position, in which said flow control element affects an inlet of said cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 3

capable of compensating for or suppressing instantaneous increases in the pressure of the fluid pumped by an electric pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief:

Data Source

PatentUS11560896B2Device for protecting an electric pump against overpressures

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 DAB PUMPS SPA

AI summary

A device for protecting an electric pump against overpressures, which comprises a main body which forms a cavity with an axis of extension which is substantially parallel to an axis of extension of the main body and a flow control element which can slide in the cavity along the axis of extension of the cavity between a closed position, in which the flow control element affects an inlet of the cavity which can be connected fluidically to a delivery port of an electric pump, and an open position, in which the flow control element clears at least partially the inlet so as to place it in fluidic connection with an outlet of said cavity, elastic means designed to push the flow control element in response to the pressure that is present in the delivery port.