Universal Pump System for Clean and Waste Water Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump systems require separate installations and operations for handling clean and polluted water due to different capacity and pollution level requirements, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary equipment for different types of water handling.
Innovation Solution
A universal pump system with a control unit that manages two or more valves to switch between clean and waste water supply based on timing and level detection using a capacitive level sensor, allowing the same pumps to handle different types of water by controlling the operation of valves and ensuring reliable waste water level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pump systems are used for clean water and waste water, then each system can be optimized for its specific requirements, but the overall device complexity and equipment redundancy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single pump system capable of handling both clean water and waste water by incorporating controllable valves that direct different water sources to the same pump. The pump is designed with universal characteristics allowing it to process multiple water types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pump systems for each water type while maintaining operational reliability through controlled switching between sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges previously separate clean water pump systems and waste water pump systems into a single integrated pump system. By combining multiple water sources (clean water source and waste water source) into one pump with controllable inlet valves, the system reduces equipment redundancy while maintaining the ability to handle different water types through unified processing.
2Device complexity
If a single pump system handles both clean and waste water, then equipment redundancy is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring water type and level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces capacitive level sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect water presence and type by measuring capacitive changes caused by different water sources. These sensors act as mediators between the mixed water sources and the control system, providing reliable detection signals without requiring direct complex analysis of water composition, thus solving the detection difficulty while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical or complex detection systems with capacitive sensing technology. The capacitive sensors detect water levels and types through electrical field interactions rather than mechanical means, simplifying the detection mechanism while improving reliability in distinguishing between different water sources within the single pump system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If valves are used to switch between water sources, then the pump can handle different water types, but the device complexity increases due to additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The controllable valves are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as isolation valves for different water sources and as switching mechanisms for directing flow to the pump. This universal valve design reduces the need for additional specialized control components, achieving water type adaptability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If separate fittings are installed for different water types, then each water type can be processed independently, but the loss of substance and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate fitting systems for clean water and waste water into a unified fitting and piping system. By combining the previously separate infrastructure into one integrated system with controllable valves, the invention eliminates redundant equipment and material costs while maintaining the operational capability to independently process different water types through controlled valve operation.
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
The system reduces the need for individual fittings by using the same pump for different water types, ensuring reliable and efficient pumping of waste and clean water by automatically switching between them based on level detection, maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing equipment redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
one electrode of the level sensor, being a capacitive inductive level sensor and/or a resistance-measuring sensor, is arranged on the inside surface and the other electrode is arranged on the outside surface of said pipe to detect exceedance of the critical level
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system for liquid media includes at least one pump having a suction side and a delivery side, a control unit connected to the at least one pump, and at least two controllable valves connected on one side thereof to the suction side. The valves are controlled by the control unit connected thereto, such that each valve only allows passage of medium from a first source or second source connectable to their respective other valve sides. The pump system also includes at least one level sensor connected to the control unit, which level sensor is positioned at least near the source where, in the case of a critical level being exceeded, medium must be pumped away.