Radial Diaphragm Pump Eccentric Drive Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphragm-type pumps face issues with flow pulsation and limited dynamic range due to limited pumping chambers and low speed cogging caused by rotating shaft motors, leading to inefficiencies and reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump design featuring radially disposed diaphragm assemblies with an eccentrically coupled drive element, providing a continuously rigid radial coupling and dynamically balanced operation, which minimizes flow pulsation and eliminates low speed cogging by using a plurality of diaphragm assemblies actuated by a rotating shaft motor with a drive element having multiple spokes and corresponding second members for precise fluid metering and high-speed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited number of pumping chambers (one to four) are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but flow pulsation increases and dynamic range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into multiple independent diaphragm assemblies (six assemblies) that can operate simultaneously. Each diaphragm assembly functions as an independent pumping chamber, allowing the system to achieve smooth flow without pulsation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm assemblies are actuated in a coordinated periodic manner through the eccentric drive mechanism. By timing the periodic action of multiple diaphragms, the system achieves continuous smooth flow output while maintaining the simplicity of individual periodic actuation mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a rotating shaft motor with eccentric drive is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but low speed cogging occurs due to large angular variations in torque load
Solution Approach 1:
The torque load is segmented across six separate diaphragm assemblies instead of one large load. This segmentation distributes the angular variations in torque load, eliminating cogging at low speeds while maintaining the simplicity of the eccentric drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric drive mechanism incorporates counterbalancing elements that offset the large angular variations in torque load. This counterweight approach eliminates low speed cogging by compensating for the periodic torque variations inherent in eccentric drives.
3Device complexity
If only one or two pumping chambers are actuated per drive cycle, then the device complexity is reduced, but flow pulsation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping action is segmented into six parallel diaphragm assemblies that can be actuated independently. This allows multiple chambers to operate simultaneously, ensuring continuous flow without interruption while keeping the actuation configuration simple through parallel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by having multiple diaphragm assemblies operate in coordination. While one diaphragm is in the discharge stroke, another is in the suction stroke, ensuring uninterrupted fluid flow and eliminating pulsation while maintaining simple periodic actuation.
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 design achieves reduced flow pulsation, constant motor torque, and extended service life of diaphragms by maintaining precise positional control and equal operating loads across diaphragm assemblies, allowing for a wide dynamic range and high operating speeds with minimal differential lateral movement.
Implementation Method 1
A drive element is configured to be eccentrically coupled to a rotating shaft motor to actuate the diaphragm for each of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is provided including a housing and a plurality of diaphragm assemblies radially disposed within the housing, each diaphragm assembly of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies including a diaphragm. A drive element is configured to be eccentrically coupled to a rotating shaft motor to actuate the diaphragm for each of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the diaphragm assembly. The drive element includes a first member and a plurality of second members, each second member of the plurality of second members being movably secured to the first member and disposed between the first member and the diaphragm of each of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies. During actuation of each diaphragm of the plurality of diaphragm assemblies, the corresponding first member and second member provide a continuously rigid radial coupling with the diaphragm.