Submersible Pump Mechanical Shaker for Debris Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Submersible pumps often fail due to debris buildup in fluid environments, making detection and resolution challenging, especially since periodic testing is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using sensors to detect failures in submersible pumps and activating a mechanical shaker to resolve mechanical interferences by vibrating the pump, thereby dislodging debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If periodic testing with portable equipment is used to detect pump failures, then detection capability is improved, but skilled labor costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidtime for periodic testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring actions by continuously collecting operational data from sensors (vibration, temperature, pressure, flow rate) before actual failures occur. This allows early detection of degradation trends and predictive maintenance scheduling, eliminating the need for periodic portable testing and reducing both time loss and labor costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual portable testing equipment with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses sensors and processors to continuously track pump performance. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled labor to perform periodic tests while maintaining or improving detection capability through continuous data collection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If submersible pumps operate in fluid environments, then pumping function is improved, but debris buildup and mechanical interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidpump operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses mechanical vibration through a shaker device to dislodge debris and particulates that become lodged in or around pump impellers. When sensors detect changes in vibration patterns, temperature, or flow rate indicating debris buildup, the shaker activates to restore proper impeller rotation and maintain pumping reliability without requiring pump removal or manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The pump system performs self-diagnosis and self-cleaning through integrated sensors that monitor operational parameters and automatically trigger the mechanical shaker when debris interference is detected. This self-service capability maintains pumping efficiency and reliability without external intervention, allowing the pump to clear its own obstructions while remaining in the fluid environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If mechanical shaker is activated to resolve debris buildup, then pump reliability is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operational reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption of mechanical shaker

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical shaker operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when sensors detect specific thresholds of debris buildup through changes in vibration, temperature, or flow rate. This periodic activation pattern maintains pump reliability by clearing debris when necessary while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the shaker dormant during normal operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (vibration sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow rate sensors) to monitor pump conditions in real-time and control mechanical shaker activation. When sensor data indicates debris interference, the feedback loop triggers the shaker; when normal operation is restored, the feedback signal stops activation. This feedback-controlled approach ensures the shaker operates only when needed, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Automatically detects and resolves pump failures, reducing downtime and costs associated with skilled labor and potential damage from fluid accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

activate a mechanical shaker coupled to the submersible pump for one or more operating cycles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10112222B1Systems and methods for resolving submersible pump failures

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

AI summary

A method and system resolves failures in a submersible pump. The method and system may receive data from one or more sensors associated with the submersible pump. The method and system may analyze the received data to detect a failure in the submersible pump. The failure may be due to a build-up of debris or particulates that has caused the submersible pump to stall or jam. To resolve the detected failure, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker coupled to the submersible pump that produces vibrations to physically shake the submersible pump.