Submersible Pump Non-Return Valve With Integrated Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing non-return valves and submersible pumps face challenges related to system size and complexity due to the external placement of pressure sensors and their connection cables, which complicate assembly and increase the risk of malfunction.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the pressure sensor inside the submersible pump and connecting it through a measuring duct within the non-return valve, allowing for pressure measurement without external sensors or cables, thus reducing system size and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an external pressure sensor and connection cables are used to measure delivery pressure, then pressure measurement is enabled, but system size increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery pressure measurementVSAvoidsystem assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor is integrated inside the pump housing rather than being external, merging the measurement function into the pump structure itself. This eliminates separate components and their connections, directly reducing assembly complexity while maintaining measurement capability through the measuring duct

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring duct is nested within the valve body structure, and the pressure sensor is nested within the pump housing. This hierarchical nesting allows the measurement system to be compactly integrated without adding external components, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of information

If external cables connect the pressure sensor to pump electronics, then pressure data transmission is enabled, but system size increases and malfunction risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure data transmissionVSAvoidsystem malfunction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor is positioned inside the pump housing where it can directly communicate with the pump electronics through integrated wiring, eliminating external cables. This merging of components removes potential connection points for failures while maintaining data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the pressure sensor is placed externally, then pressure measurement is possible, but overall system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery pressure measurementVSAvoidoverall system size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor is nested within the pump housing, utilizing the existing internal space of the pump structure. This nesting approach allows the measurement device to be contained within the pump's volume rather than adding external bulk, maintaining compact system size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring duct extends in a specific direction within the valve body to reach the chamber while keeping the sensor compact. This strategic spatial arrangement optimizes the use of internal volume without increasing overall system dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If the measuring duct access port opens at the end of the guide stem, then continuous pressure measurement is enabled, but valve seizure risk is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous pressure measurementVSAvoidvalve seizure prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access port is positioned at a specific location (end of guide stem) that provides optimal access to the chamber for pressure measurement while maintaining adequate clearance from the shutter. This localized positioning ensures continuous measurement capability without interfering with valve operation or creating seizure risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables continuous pressure measurement while minimizing the overall size of the pumping system and simplifying the construction of the submersible pump by eliminating the need for external sensors and cables, ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

The measuring duct is arranged to put the valve chamber and the inside of the pump in fluid communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication:

Implementation Method 2

a shutter (5) located within the chamber (10) to selectively interrupt the flow of fluid between the inlet (3) and said outlet (4), depending on the difference between the pressure upstream and pressure downstream the shutter (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3730797B1Non-return valve for a submersible pump and related submersible pump
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 CALPEDA
  • EP3730797B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3730797B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3730797B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Non-return valve (1) for a submersible pump (100) comprising: - a valve body (2) arranged to be associated with a submersible pump (100) in operative configuration; - a chamber (10) inside the valve body (2) provided with an inlet (3) arranged to be associated with a delivery opening (101) of the submersible pump (100) in the operative configuration and an outlet (4) of fluid; - a shutter (5) located within the chamber (10) to selectively interrupt the flow of fluid between the inlet (3) and the outlet (4), depending on the difference between the pressure upstream and pressure downstream the shutter (5); - a measuring duct (8) advantageously connectable in operative configuration to a pressure sensor located internally of said submersible pump (100), provided with an access port (8a) which opens inside the chamber (10).