Single-Pump Fluid Management for Uniform Additive Manufacturing Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional additive manufacturing systems face challenges with space utilization, cost, and flow uniformity due to the use of multiple pumps for fluid circulation and discharge, which can lead to changes in fluid viscosity and material build-up, affecting the quality of the work product.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system utilizing a single pump for multiple fluid pathways, with flow-regulating valves to adjust cross-sections and maintain constant pressure, ensuring uniform flow across pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps are used for fluid circulation and discharge, then fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pump functions into a single pump system that can serve multiple fluid pathways. The single pump is configured to pump fluid into multiple circuits simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate pumps for each pathway while maintaining flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks: it can pump fluid into different circuits, manage different fluid types (cleaning fluid and binder material), and adapt to varying flow requirements through flow-regulating valves, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized pumps.
2Reliability
If multiple pumps are used for fluid circulation, then flow control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple pump functions into a single pump system, the patent reduces component count and assembly complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow across multiple pathways through flow-regulating valves.
3Reliability
If multiple pumps are used for fluid discharge, then discharge control is improved, but flow uniformity deteriorates due to viscosity changes and material build-up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flow sensors that provide feedback on fluid flow characteristics. This feedback is used to detect changes in viscosity and flow uniformity, allowing the system to adjust flow-regulating valves to maintain consistent flow across all pathways despite changes in fluid properties over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable flow-regulating valves that can change their opening degree in real-time based on feedback from flow sensors. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to compensate for viscosity changes and material build-up, maintaining flow uniformity across all pathways throughout the manufacturing process.
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 approach simplifies system design, reduces maintenance challenges, and improves flow uniformity, enhancing the quality and efficiency of the additive manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is provided that is configured to pump fluid into a work head and a return line
Implementation Method 2
Flow-regulating valves are provided in the fluid pathways. The flow-regulating valves may be used to adjust cross-sections of the fluid pathways
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to fluid management systems and methods of calibrating the same within additive manufacturing systems. A fluid management system includes a pump and at least one fluid circuit, each fluid circuit comprising a plurality of fluid pathways, each of the plurality of fluid pathways comprising at least one flow-regulating valve and at least one actuating valve. At least a portion of each of the plurality of fluid pathways are fluidly connected by at least one actuating valve. The pump is operable to provide a fluid to each of the plurality of fluid pathways, wherein the fluid has a flowrate within each of the plurality of fluid pathways. Each flow-regulating valve is adjustable to increase or decrease the flowrate of each of the plurality of fluid pathways such that each flowrate of the plurality of fluid pathways is substantially the same.