Self-Priming Centrifugal Pump Valve With Soft Leaf Spring Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal pumps are not self-priming and existing self-priming solutions, such as leaf spring valves, generate loud clack noises due to abrupt pressure changes, which can lead to water hammer and reduce efficiency, especially in multi-stage pumps integrated into domestic water supply systems.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal pump with a pressure-controlled valve featuring a pretensioned leaf spring and dampening means that slows the leaf spring's closure, allowing for soft and dampened closing, reducing noise and maintaining self-priming efficiency by using a preclosed position and fluid forces to control the leaf spring's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a leaf spring valve is used for self-priming, then the valve is simple, robust and cheap, but it generates loud clack noise due to abrupt pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping element positioned between the leaf spring and valve seat that provides cushioning before the leaf spring fully closes. This damping element absorbs the impact energy and prevents the abrupt closing that causes noise and water hammer, while maintaining the simple and robust leaf spring valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary between the leaf spring and valve seat. It mediates the closing action by providing a compliant interface that slows down the closing process and dissipates energy, thereby eliminating the harmful clack noise while preserving the benefits of the leaf spring valve.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the bypass valve is placed higher up in the pressure chamber to reduce pressure difference, then water hammer is reduced, but self-priming efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element serves as an intermediary that allows the valve to remain in the optimal location for self-priming efficiency while compensating for the high pressure difference. It enables the valve to handle the full pressure differential without causing water hammer, thus decoupling the location optimization from the water hammer problem.
3Speed
If the leaf spring closes quickly to maintain responsiveness, then the valve reaction is fast, but noise and water hammer occur
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element provides beforehand cushioning that becomes active during the closing process. It allows the leaf spring to maintain its fast response and quick opening/closing capability, but introduces cushioning precisely when the closing action generates harmful impacts, thus preserving speed while eliminating noise.
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 effectively minimizes noise and maintains self-priming efficiency by ensuring a smooth closure of the valve, reducing the likelihood of water hammer and enhancing the pump's performance in domestic water supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
the valve comprises dampening means which slows the leaf spring before meeting the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
arranged for soft (dampened) closing
Implementation Method 3
some liquid remains in the pump, especially around the impeller to have a self-priming effect when starting
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal pump (7), with one or more pumping stages, includes a pressure controlled valve (15) inside the pump (7) for supporting self-priming, the pressure controlled valve (15). The pressure controlled valve (15) includes a pretensioned leaf spring (17) and a valve seat (18). The leaf spring (17) has an opened position and a closed position. In the open position the leaf spring (17) is distanced from the valve seat (18). In the closed position the leaf spring (17) closes the valve seat (18). The leaf spring (17) and valve seat (18) are arranged for soft closing.