Pump Pressure Relief Shearing Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Slurry pumps face overheating issues due to low flowrates, which can lead to blockages and potential explosions, and existing solutions for measuring flowrate and temperature in slurry pumps are limited by clogging and wear concerns, necessitating a reliable pressure relief mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief arrangement for rotodynamic pumps featuring a shearing element that allows the side wall section to move from a normal operating position to a venting position when pressure reaches a specified level, relieving pressure within the pumping chamber and preventing over-pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If flowrate is reduced to maintain pump operation, then pump can continue running, but temperature increases and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of pressure buildup (which causes overheating and potential explosion) into a beneficial pressure relief mechanism. The shearing element is designed to fail at a predetermined pressure, intentionally allowing controlled failure to prevent catastrophic failure. This transforms the harmful pressure accumulation into a protective function that maintains pump operation continuity while preventing temperature-related damage.
2Duration of action of moving object
If flowrate is reduced, then pump operation continues, but blockages occur due to solids settling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of pressure buildup (which indicates solids settling and potential blockage) into a beneficial early warning and relief mechanism. By designing the shearing element to fail at a predetermined pressure threshold, the system proactively relieves pressure before complete blockage occurs, maintaining operational continuity and reliability.
3Reliability
If pressure relief mechanism is added, then over-pressurization is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure relief function from complex active control systems (sensors, controllers, valves) and implements it through a simple passive mechanical shearing element. This extracted solution prevents over-pressurization while minimizing added complexity, as the shearing element requires no power, control logic, or complex actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shearing element is designed as a disposable sacrificial component that fails at a predetermined pressure and can be easily replaced. This approach is more economical and simpler than installing complex, expensive, and maintenance-intensive active pressure control systems. The low cost and simplicity of the shearing element justify its use despite adding a component to the pump system.
4Measurement precision
If instruments are installed to measure flowrate and temperature, then monitoring is improved, but clogging and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical safety function (pressure monitoring and relief) from complex measurement and control instrumentation. Instead of using flowrate sensors, temperature sensors, and electronic control systems that are prone to clogging and wear in slurry service, the invention uses a simple mechanical shearing element that requires no measurement instruments, eliminating the clogging and wear problems associated with instrumentation in slurry pumps.
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 solution effectively dissipates pressure within the pump casing, preventing overheating and blockages, allowing for safe operation and easy retrofitting into existing pumps, with the shearing element failing at a predetermined pressure within the pump's safe operating range, ensuring the pump's integrity and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a shearing element (45) which is adapted to retain the side wall section (41) in the normal operating position. The arrangement is such that upon the pressure within the pumping chamber (25) reaching a specified pressure, the shearing element (45) will fail thereby permitting movement of the side wall section (41) from the normal operating position to the venting position
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief arrangement for a pump, which includes a pump housing assembly with a pumping chamber therein, is provided in the pump housing assembly of the pump and includes a section mounted for movement between a normal operating position and a venting position, further includes a shearing element adapted to retain the section in the normal operating position, the section being mounted such that upon pressure within the pumping chamber increasing to a specified level, the pressure acts on the section and the shearing element will fail thereby permitting movement of the section from the normal operating to the venting position.