Slurry Pump Flap Valve Inversion for Sealing and Suction Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slurry pumps with spade valves protrude laterally, leading to damage and increased suction height issues when filling or emptying slurry, causing inefficiencies and 'false air' problems, especially with high dry matter slurry.

Innovation Solution

A slurry pump equipped with a spring-loaded flap valve that can be actively opened and closed by an actuator, allowing for tighter sealing and efficient priming without protruding mechanisms, using a displaceable impeller and rubber ring for optimal fit and suction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spade valve is used to open and close the pump intake and discharge pipes, then the pump can be sealed to avoid slurry leakage, but the spade valve and actuating cylinders protrude laterally from the pump causing damage risks and increased suction height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoiddamage risk and suction height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a laterally protruding spade valve that opens outward, the invention uses a flap valve that opens inward into the pump housing. This inversion of the valve opening direction eliminates the protrusion problem while maintaining sealing capability, as the flap valve folds into the pump body when open rather than extending outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The flap valve is designed to nest within the pump housing when in the open position. The valve folds into the pump body, allowing the pump to fit tightly into hoppers without requiring additional space for protruding valve mechanisms, thereby reducing suction height and eliminating damage risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the pump is equipped with a spade valve mechanism, then the pump can be sealed, but the protruding cylinders and spade require additional pipe or hose to fit tightly into hoppers, increasing suction height

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidsuction height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flap valve opens inward into the pump housing rather than outward, eliminating the need for additional external piping or hoses to achieve a tight fit into hoppers. This inversion allows the pump to reach lower positions, reducing suction height while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism transitions from a lateral protrusion in the horizontal dimension to a vertical folding motion within the pump housing. This dimensional change allows the pump to fit tightly into hoppers without requiring additional external space, thereby reducing suction height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a spade valve is used, then the pump can be closed to prevent slurry flow, but the lateral protrusion prevents tight connection to hoppers causing false air intake and extended loading time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure capabilityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flap valve closes by folding into the pump housing rather than requiring lateral movement, enabling tight connection to hoppers. This eliminates false air intake through gaps between the pump and hopper, preventing extended loading times associated with priming issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The flap valve is designed to automatically close before the pump is disconnected from the hopper, ensuring tight sealing and preventing false air intake. This preliminary closing action maintains the vacuum seal necessary for efficient priming and loading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 a tighter seal, reduces damage risks, enhances priming efficiency, and minimizes suction height, ensuring effective slurry handling and reduced loading time by eliminating 'false air' issues.

Implementation Method 1

a spring load or the like, which is arranged to keep the flap valve closed when it is not being actively opened

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the flap valve can be opened or closed mechanically by the control system of the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3225091B1A slurry pump with a flap valve

Publication Date: 2019.12.25 SOERENSEN HARRY HOEJVANG

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AI summary

A slurry pump (1) for mounting onto a crane arm on a slurry wagon or trailer for pumping slurry into and/or out of a tank of the slurry wagon/trailer is disclosed, said slurry pump being provided with a flap valve (9) so that the inlet/outlet (4) of the slurry pump can be sealed off when the pump is not in use.