Double-Action Reciprocating Plunger Pump for Consistent Spray Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-component fluid spray systems face challenges in maintaining consistent spray pressures and efficient fluid mixing, particularly in systems where A-side and B-side fluids require different pumping displacements and are prone to wear issues with gear pumps.

Innovation Solution

A double-action reciprocating plunger pump with pre-pressurized assistance and balanced working surface areas, combined with a proportioning cylinder and lubrication subsystem, ensures consistent pressure and efficient fluid mixing without wear-related issues, using a single lubricant reservoir and motorized actuators for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If gear pumps are used for continuous pumping, then fluid flow is maintained, but wear causes slipping or grinding over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous pumping capabilityVSAvoidpump performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional gear pump mechanical system with a reciprocating plunger pump system. This substitution eliminates the gear meshing mechanism that causes wear, replacing it with a plunger moving in a cylinder, which provides continuous pumping capability without the slipping or grinding issues inherent in gear pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the problematic gear mechanism from the pumping system. By eliminating the gears entirely and using a plunger-cylinder arrangement with check valves, the system maintains continuous flow capability while removing the source of wear-related reliability problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate A-side and B-side fluid systems are used, then different fluids can be mixed, but maintaining consistent spray pressures and flow rates is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid mixing capabilityVSAvoidspray pressure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control mechanisms of the A-side and B-side pumping systems into a unified reciprocating plunger design. The single plunger with balanced working surfaces on both ends allows simultaneous control of both fluid systems, ensuring that spray pressure consistency is maintained while still enabling the mixing of different fluids in the required ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If different pump displacements are used for A-side and B-side fluids, then correct mixing ratios are achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid mixing ratioVSAvoidpumping system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs asymmetry in the plunger design where the working surfaces on opposite ends of the plunger have different areas. This asymmetric configuration allows the single plunger to deliver different displacement volumes for A-side and B-side fluids during each stroke, achieving correct mixing ratios without requiring separate complex pumping systems for each fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution provides uniform and continuous spray pressure, efficient fluid switching, and reduced risk of contamination, minimizing downtime and solvent usage while maintaining pump performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

A- and B-side fluid systems typically comprise separate fluid sources (e.g. reservoirs or lines) that are pumped via separate pumps to a common sprayer head actuated by a human operator or an automated machine process. Required spray pressures vary as a function of material and application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPre-pressurization: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

a pump with a double-action reciprocating plunger balanced to receive equal up-stroke and down-stroke assist from a pre-pressurized supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReciprocating motion:

Implementation Method 3

When the plunger is at its top-most position, the upward-facing plunger occludes the first inlet and outlet ports without blocking flow. When the plunger is at its bottom-most position, the downward-facing plunger occludes the second inlet and outlet ports without blocking flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical occlusion:

Data Source

PatentUS10413924B2Proportioning cylinder for spray system

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 GRACO MINNESTOA INC

AI summary

A spray system has a pump with a double-action reciprocating plunger balanced to receive equal up-stroke and down-stroke assist from a pre-pressurized supply. The reciprocating plunger has identical working surface area on opposite first and second axial faces. A pumping system has a double-action reciprocating plunger with upward- and downward-facing spacers. The plunger travels axially within a proportioning cylinder with first inlet and outlet ports at a first axial end, and second inlet and outlet ports at an opposite second axial end. When the plunger is at its top-most position, the upward-facing plunger occludes the first inlet and outlet ports without blocking flow. When the plunger is at its bottom-most position, the downward-facing plunger occludes the second inlet and outlet ports without blocking flow.