Liquid Pump Reservoir Pressure Sensing for Stroke State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid pumping apparatuses lack an effective method to determine their operating state, specifically distinguishing between pumping and inflow strokes, which is crucial for detecting failures or abnormalities before they occur.
Innovation Solution
A state determination device equipped with a pressure sensor and a determination unit that detects pressure changes in the reservoir space to differentiate between pumping and inflow strokes by monitoring pressure variations, allowing accurate identification of the operating state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no state determination device is installed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect failures or abnormalities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical state detection mechanisms with a pressure sensor-based detection system. The pressure sensor electronically monitors pressure changes in the reservoir space, substituting for what would otherwise require complex mechanical linkages or multiple sensors to determine operating state. This electronic substitution maintains high reliability for failure detection while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit utilizes pressure data that is already being collected by the pressure sensor for other purposes (monitoring reservoir conditions) and repurposes it for state determination. The system serves multiple functions with the same hardware components - the pressure sensor serves both for general pressure monitoring and for determining operating state, eliminating the need for separate dedicated state detection hardware.
2Measurement precision
If simple pressure monitoring is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of operating state determination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit determines operating state by analyzing changes in pressure parameters over time. Instead of using a single pressure threshold, the system monitors the temporal evolution of pressure values, detecting transitions between operating states through pressure increase/decrease patterns. This parameter-based approach achieves precise state determination using only the existing pressure sensor without adding complex measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit continuously receives pressure feedback from the pressure sensor and dynamically adjusts its state determination based on the ongoing pressure trends. The system uses feedback loops to monitor pressure changes and update the operating state determination in real-time, ensuring high precision without requiring complex predictive models or additional sensors.
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 precise determination of the operating state of the liquid pumping apparatus, enhancing the ability to detect potential failures or abnormalities by accurately distinguishing between pumping and inflow strokes through pressure sensor data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor, and a determination unit. The pressure sensor detects a pressure of the reservoir space.
Data Source
AI summary
A state determination device for a liquid pumping apparatus includes: a casing that forms a reservoir space; a feed valve that introduces working gas into the reservoir space; an exhaust valve that releases the working gas from the reservoir space; and a valve operating mechanism having a float arranged in the reservoir space, and performing a pumping stroke in which the liquid is pumped from the reservoir space under a pressure of the working gas and an inflow stroke in which the liquid flows into the reservoir space and the working gas is released. The state determination device further includes a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the reservoir space, and a determination unit that determines whether the liquid pumping apparatus is in an operating state of performing the pumping stroke or the inflow stroke based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.