Liquid Pump Valve Deterioration Detection Using Differential Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid pumping apparatuses in steam systems face challenges in accurately estimating the life span due to varying degrees of internal component deterioration, which affects the operation of feed and exhaust valves, leading to potential pumping failures.
Innovation Solution
A deterioration determination device is introduced, comprising first and second pressure sensors that detect pressure changes in the liquid and gaseous layers within the reservoir space, allowing for the calculation of differential pressure to assess the degree of valve operating mechanism deterioration, thereby estimating the apparatus' life span more accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the life of the liquid pumping apparatus is estimated based on the number of operations, then the estimation method is simple, but the degree of deterioration of internal components cannot be accurately reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical counting method (number of operations) with a pressure-based detection system. Pressure sensors measure the pressure difference between the lower and upper portions of the reservoir space, which reflects the actual physical state of internal components. This substitution allows accurate measurement of deterioration degree through pressure differential data rather than relying on operation count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure differential as an intermediary parameter that connects the operational state to the deterioration state. The pressure difference between lower and upper portions of the reservoir space serves as a mediator that indirectly indicates the condition of internal components (valve operating mechanism, feed valve, exhaust valve) without requiring direct observation or complex diagnostics.
2Reliability
If internal components are monitored for deterioration, then pumping failure can be prevented, but the monitoring system increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system utilizes the existing operational parameters (pressure differences during normal pumping operations) to self-diagnose the condition of internal components. The same pressure sensors used for operational control also provide deterioration information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware. The system monitors its own health through routine operational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensors serve multiple functions: they control the pumping operation by detecting liquid level and also monitor the deterioration of internal components by measuring pressure differentials. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized monitoring equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
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 device effectively determines the degree of deterioration by analyzing pressure changes, enabling timely maintenance and preventing pumping failures by providing a more precise estimation of the apparatus' life span, independent of the type and state of the liquid used.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor arranged to communicate with a lower portion of the reservoir space to detect a pressure of a liquid layer in the reservoir space
Implementation Method 2
a second pressure sensor arranged to communicate with an upper portion of the reservoir space to detect a pressure of a gaseous layer in the reservoir space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is a deterioration determination device 70 for a liquid pumping apparatus 1 including: a casing 10 that forms a reservoir space 13 for storing liquid flowed thereto; a feed valve 20 that introduces working gas into the reservoir space 13; an exhaust valve 30 that releases the working gas from the reservoir space 13; and a valve operating mechanism 40 having a float 41 arranged in the reservoir space 13, and performing a pumping stroke in which the liquid is pumped from the reservoir space 13 under a pressure of the working gas by opening the feed valve 20 and closing the exhaust valve 30 when the float 41 moves up to a predetermined high level, and an inflow stroke in which the liquid flows into the reservoir space 13 and the working gas is released from the reservoir space 13 by closing the feed valve 20 and opening the exhaust valve 30 when the float 41 moves down to a predetermined low level. The deterioration determination device 70 includes a first pressure sensor arranged to communicate with a lower portion of the reservoir space 13 to detect a pressure of a liquid layer in the reservoir space 13, and a deterioration determination unit 75 that determines a degree of deterioration of the valve operating mechanism 40 based on a change in the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor.