Pump Volute Debris Diversion for Continuous Wash Fluid Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pot and pan washing machines lack an effective mechanism for filtering out and collecting debris, such as solid and semi-solid particulate, which accumulates in the wash fluid, reducing cleaning efficiency and potentially clogging the system, requiring frequent downtime for draining and refilling.
Innovation Solution
A system that diverts a portion of the fluid displaced by the pump through a particulate separation device, where debris is separated and retained, allowing the cleaned fluid to be returned to the wash tank without additional pumping, using a centrifugal pump and filtration opening within the pump volute or adjacent to it, with a removable collection device that can be cleaned without disrupting the washing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filtration system is added to remove debris from wash fluid, then cleaning efficiency and system reliability are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is merged with the existing pump assembly by integrating a filtration opening directly into the pump volute. This combines the debris removal function with the fluid circulation system, allowing the pump to simultaneously circulate clean fluid and extract debris through the integrated filtration opening without requiring a separate filtration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly performs dual functions: it circulates wash fluid through the tank while simultaneously removing debris through the filtration opening. The system serves itself by using the pump's existing fluid movement capability to drive debris removal, eliminating the need for additional powered filtration components.
2Manufacturing precision
If debris is removed more frequently to maintain cleaning efficiency, then cleaning quality is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration opening enables continuous debris removal during normal washing operations. Rather than requiring periodic shutdowns for manual debris removal, the system continuously extracts debris as fluid circulates through the pump, maintaining cleaning quality without interrupting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Debris is removed preventively during normal operation rather than waiting for accumulation. The filtration opening continuously extracts debris before it can accumulate to problematic levels, preventing cleaning quality degradation without requiring maintenance shutdowns.
3Reliability
If a complex filtration system is installed to capture all particulate, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration function is extracted as a simple opening in the pump volute rather than a complex filter assembly. This extracted filtration capability allows debris to be removed through the existing fluid circulation path without requiring complex filtration mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while achieving effective debris removal.
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
This solution reduces the frequency of downtime for maintenance, maintains the washing machine's efficiency by continuously circulating clean fluid, and prevents debris from accumulating, ensuring effective cleaning without impacting normal operation even when the collection device becomes overloaded.
Implementation Method 1
In some embodiments, the pump comprises a centrifugal pump. In some such embodiments, the filtration opening is located within the housing of the pump, at an outer perimeter of the pressure side of a volute of the centrifugal pump. The centrifugal force acting on particulate within the fluid results in the particulate congregating toward the perimeter in generally higher concentrations than otherwise generally present within the volume of fluid displaced by the pump.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump volute offshoot system for debris diversion and collection, a solids collection system, and related methods, for a pot and pan, or other, similar, washing machine is provided.