Suction Pump Resonant Compliance Valve Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid suction pumps, particularly double-acting suction rams, face inefficiencies due to a trade-off between valve switching ability and flow-friction loss around the impulse/diverter valve, often requiring venturi effects or viscous drag to operate effectively, which are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-sustaining oscillation mechanism by tuning the compliance of a compliant element to resonate with the inertance of the delivery arms, allowing the pump to switch valves without venturi effects or viscous drag, thereby improving pumping efficiency by 10-20%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve switching ability is improved, then the pump can switch between delivery pipes more effectively, but the flow-friction loss around the impulse/diverter valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pressure oscillations (a form of mechanical vibration) in the drive pipe to automatically switch the impulse valve between delivery pipes. The oscillating pressure creates alternating high and low pressure zones that drive the valve back and forth, enabling switching without requiring additional energy input or creating excessive flow-friction losses
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates through periodic cycles where the impulse valve alternates between closing one delivery pipe and opening the other. This periodic action allows the system to efficiently switch between delivery pipes while maintaining optimal flow conditions, reducing continuous flow-friction losses that would occur with constant valve operation
2Ease of operation
If venturi effects are used to assist valve switching, then the valve can switch more effectively, but the device complexity and flow constriction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the venturi effect component from the system entirely, relying instead on naturally occurring pressure oscillations in the drive pipe to achieve valve switching. This extraction of the venturi component simplifies the device structure while maintaining effective valve switching capability through the inherent dynamic behavior of the water hammer effect
3Ease of operation
If viscous drag is used to assist valve switching, then the valve can switch more effectively, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pressure oscillations to drive valve switching, utilizing the inertial and elastic properties of the fluid system rather than relying on viscous drag. This approach converts mechanical vibration energy from the water hammer effect into valve actuation, significantly reducing energy losses that would otherwise occur through viscous dissipation
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 enhances pumping efficiency by optimizing the resonant frequency of the pump, reducing flow-friction losses and enabling efficient operation across a wide range of drive pressures and flow rates, while minimizing the need for adjustable compliance in situ.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant element coupled to the drive pipe and the valve arrangement, the compliance of which is selected such that a geometry of the suction pump in combination with the compliance defines a resonant condition for the pump
Implementation Method 2
the compliance of which is selected such that a geometry of the suction pump in combination with the compliance defines a resonant condition for the pump
Implementation Method 3
a liquid suction pump, of the type which may be called suction rams
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
We describe a liquid suction pump, the pump comprising: a drive pipe to receive a liquid drive flow for the pump; a liquid conduit having first and second liquid delivery arms to provide pumped liquid, and a connecting valve arrangement between the arms; first and second pump inlets to said first and second arms, said first and second pump inlets having respective first and second one-way inlet valves; said valve arrangement having a valve inlet coupled to said drive pipe and valve outlets coupled to said first and second arms, to alternately close off a liquid connection between said valve inlet and respective ones of said first and second arms; and a compliant element coupled to said drive pipe; wherein the suction pump is configured such that, in operation, said drive flow oscillates in pressure/flow rate due to alternate switching of said valve arrangement; and wherein a compliance of said compliant element is such that a geometry of said suction pump in combination with said compliance defines a resonant condition for said pump and said oscillation is at a resonant frequency of the pump.