Pump Priming Assembly with Enlarged Funnel Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal water pumps often require priming with fluid to initiate operation, but the small orifice size leads to spills and improper priming, causing damage and inefficiency, and existing methods are not intuitive or effective for frequent users.
Innovation Solution
A pump priming assembly with an enlarged funnel-shaped opening and a removable cap with coarse threads, along with a limited turn actuator or lever, facilitates easy fluid connection and visual indication of priming, ensuring self-sustained operation with a single priming activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a small orifice is used for priming, then the pump structure remains compact, but water spills over the sides and priming efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a small circular orifice to a funnel-shaped opening that enlarges the priming area in multiple dimensions. The funnel shape provides both a larger top opening for water pouring and a controlled bottom opening, effectively increasing the priming surface area while maintaining proper water flow control into the pump housing.
2Reliability
If a removable cap with fine threads is used, then the connection is secure, but the tool required for removal increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thread characteristics to different portions of the cap structure. The cap includes coarse external threads for easy manual engagement and disengagement with the pump housing, while maintaining a secure connection. This localized differentiation of thread properties allows tool-free operation while preserving connection reliability.
3Reliability
If a bung or plug structure is used to obstruct the priming opening during operation, then the priming opening is sealed, but the tool required for removal and insertion increases operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the cap the primary sealing element rather than using a separate bung or plug. The cap, when installed on the pump housing, automatically seals the priming opening during operation. This eliminates the need for separate plug insertion and removal operations, reducing time loss while maintaining operational sealing reliability.
4Volume of stationary object
If the priming passage has small volume, then the pump structure remains compact, but repeated priming is required before achieving self-sustained operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a reservoir structure that pre-stores a sufficient volume of water before priming operation. This preliminary water storage allows the pump to be fully primed in a single operation, eliminating the need for repeated priming cycles. The reservoir volume is designed to provide adequate water charge to the priming passage, ensuring self-sustained operation is achieved after one priming action.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for indicating and communicating a priming charge to a fluid pump to establish self-sustained operation of the fluid pump is disclosed. The priming assembly includes an enlarged inlet associated with a fluid priming chamber and an outlet that is in fluid communication with the working fluid passage associated with the pump. The priming assembly includes one or more of a cap or valve assembly associated with isolating the pump chamber from atmosphere and preferably includes indicia associated with use and/or operation of the priming assembly.