Reciprocating Pump Valve State Detection for Volumetric Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating pumps in blood purification devices, such as dialyzers, face challenges in maintaining set pump volumetric efficiency and flow rate due to wear of components, leading to reduced dialysate supply and decreased blood purification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection device that measures the time periods of valve states in predetermined cycles and an arithmetic device to calculate pump volumetric efficiency and flow rate, using electrode units to monitor valve states and determine shutout conditions, allowing for accurate monitoring and maintenance of pump performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If component wear is allowed to occur naturally, then the pump operates without monitoring, but pump volumetric efficiency and flow rate cannot be monitored accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with electrical detection. Transmitting and receiving electrode units detect valve shutout states through electrical signals, substituting mechanical sensors and reducing system complexity while enabling accurate pump volumetric efficiency monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses the existing electrical components (electrode units) already present in the pump system for dual purposes: original electrical functions and valve state detection. This self-service approach enables monitoring without adding separate complex detection systems
2Productivity
If the plunger reciprocation range is reduced due to component wear, then the pump operates continuously, but dialysate supply amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback monitoring by detecting valve shutout states with electrode units and calculating pump volumetric efficiency in real-time. This feedback system alerts operators to component wear before it significantly reduces dialysate supply, enabling timely maintenance to preserve productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system detects valve shutout state changes and pump efficiency degradation before they lead to significant dialysate supply reduction. By identifying issues early in the wear process, the system enables preliminary maintenance actions that prevent productivity loss
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
Enables easy and accurate monitoring of pump volumetric efficiency and flow rate, preventing reduced dialysate supply and maintaining blood purification efficiency by detecting valve states and potential leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting electrode unit is formed in the pump chamber and a receiving electrode unit is formed in each of the valve device on the suction port side and the valve device on the discharge port side such that current is applied between the transmitting electrode unit and the receiving electrode units
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a reciprocating pump in which it is possible to monitor pump volumetric efficiency and a flow rate with ease and accuracy. A reciprocating pump includes a pump chamber; a suction port which enables a liquid to be suctioned into the pump chamber; a discharge port which enable a liquid in the pump chamber to be discharged; a plunger 7 which is capable of reciprocating in the pump chamber by a motor M; check valves are disposed between the pump chamber and a flow route on the suction port side and a flow route on the discharge port side, are openable and closable in response to a change in a liquid pressure in the pump chamber, which is produced due to the reciprocating of the plunger 7 a detection device that is able to detect a period of time during which the check valve is in an opened state or in a closed state in a predetermined cycle; and an arithmetic device that performs an arithmetic operation to obtain pump volumetric efficiency or a flow rate based on a comparison between a period of detection time detected by the detection device and a period of time during which the check valve is in the opened state or in the closed state in the predetermined cycle during normal operation.