Submersible Pump Divergent Flow Strainer Clogging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Submersible pumps used in applications with low-specific-gravity reinforcing fibers or strands in shotcrete often experience rapid strainer blockage and damage due to these fibers being carried into the pump, leading to potential failure.
Innovation Solution
The submersible pump employs a second fluid outlet arrangement to create a divergent flow of fluid away from the intake, either by redirecting pumped fluid back into the body of water or using an external source, to push unwanted solid matter away from the strainer and reduce clogging and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strainer is provided upstream of the inlet to prevent solid matter from entering the pump, then the pump is protected from damage, but the strainer becomes rapidly blocked by low-specific-gravity fibers and strands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a divergent flow field around the pump intake using externally directed fluid jets before the floating solid matter can reach and block the strainer. The fluid jets are directed outward from the pump housing to push floating fibers and strands away from the inlet area, preventing blockage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulics by employing fluid jets (water or air) directed outward from the pump housing to create a divergent flow that pushes floating solid matter away from the strainer. This hydraulic action prevents blockage while allowing the pump to continue operating with the strainer remaining clear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump operates with floating solid matter in the fluid, then the pump can handle diverse fluid compositions, but the fibers and strands are carried into the pump causing damage and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by creating a protective divergent flow field around the pump intake that actively pushes floating solid matter away from the inlet before it can enter and damage the pump. This preliminary protective action allows the pump to handle diverse fluid compositions while preventing the harmful effect of fiber ingestion.
3Reliability
If the strainer mesh size is reduced to block finer fibers, then more solid matter is prevented from entering, but the strainer blocks even more rapidly and the pump complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solid matter prevention function from the strainer by using external fluid jets to push floating solid matter away from the inlet area. This allows the strainer to maintain a larger mesh size for easier cleaning and lower complexity while still preventing solid matter from entering the pump through the combined action of the divergent flow and strainer.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of clogging and damage to the pump by directing floating solids away from the intake, thereby extending the pump's operational life and preventing premature failure.
Implementation Method 1
a second outlet arrangement, wherein at least the first outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; and a strainer upstream of the fluid inlet; the second outlet arrangement being configured such that when the submersible pump is in a body of fluid and operated to draw fluid from the body into the fluid inlet, a fluid can be delivered by the second outlet arrangement into the body of fluid in a manner to create a flow of fluid in the body in a direction radially away from a circumferential surface of the submersible pump so as to direct unwanted solid matter away from the strainer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pump (100) has an inlet (28), a first outlet (30) and a second outlet arrangement. The pump (100) is arranged so that when operated in a body of water (104), water from that body of water (104) is pumped thought the first outlet to a remote location. Additionally liquid is delivered to the second outlet system (102) which subsequently flows out from the second outlet system (102) back into the body of water (104) to create a flow of the liquid back into the body of water 104 and away from the pump (100). The liquid can be water from the body of water (104). In this instance a portion of the water at the first outlet can be diverted to the second outlet arrangement. But alternately liquid can be sourced externally from the body of water (104).