Solenoid Membrane Pump for Gas Sampling with Pulse Echo Blockage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas sampling pumps require a separate by-pass pump, are prone to quick wear, and are sensitive to piping constriction or blockage, which affects measurement accuracy and requires frequent maintenance, especially in continuous operation scenarios like carbon dioxide measurement.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses pressure pulses to assess changes in piping and employs a solenoid-driven membrane pump with magnetic valves and remote monitoring, allowing for continuous operation with stable sampling over weeks or months, and detecting blockages through pressure echo analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sampling pumps are used, then sampling can be performed, but the pumps wear out quickly and require frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump service lifeVSAvoidoperating time before maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sampling pumps with a diode-based electronic switching system that controls gas flow through magnetic valves. This electronic system has no moving mechanical parts that wear, eliminating the pump wear problem while maintaining continuous sampling capability over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pressure pulses generated by the diode switching system to propel gas samples through the piping. By converting electrical switching actions into pneumatic pressure waves, the system achieves pump-like flow control without mechanical contact, thereby extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If sampling pumps operate continuously, then gas samples can be collected over long periods, but piping becomes constricted and blocked affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous sampling capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic pressure pulses generated by alternating current through the diode to continuously clear the sampling piping. These regular pulsing actions prevent particle accumulation and piping constriction, enabling continuous operation without blocking while maintaining measurement accuracy through consistent flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If separate by-pass pump and sampling pump are used, then sampling can be performed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of pumps required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diode-based electronic switching system with magnetic valves performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the by-pass mechanism and the sampling pump. By integrating these functions into a single electronic control system, the patent eliminates the need for separate mechanical pumps while maintaining full sampling operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reliable and stable gas sampling with extended service life, reduced maintenance needs, and improved controllability, maintaining constant flow and detecting operational disturbances promptly, suitable for long-term sampling of various gases including CO2 for emissions analysis.

Implementation Method 1

producing a pressure pulse in the piping and measuring the echo of the pressure pulse in the piping as a function of time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure pulse echo: Echo

Implementation Method 2

solenoid-driven membrane pump with magnetic valves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP2697555B1Method for determining condition of piping and a sequence controlled sample pump
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
  • EP2697555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2697555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2697555B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a sampling apparatus and method. In the sampling method, a sample is led through a flowline (20) to a pump (5) and from there on to sampling means (12, 13). According to the invention, the pump (5) is formed of an actual pump (5) and magnetic valves (4, 6) located on either side of it, which are controlled in such a way that the pumping is pulse-like.