Vacuum Grease Transfer Hose With Controlled Gas Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face difficulties in effectively removing viscous fluids like grease from a bearing by suction through a hose or pipe, often resulting in apparatus stalling due to the resistance of viscous fluids to flow and potential air mixing.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a hose or pipe that includes a gas inlet controlled by a valve, connected to a vacuum pump, allowing controlled gas flow to assist in the suction of viscous fluids from a first unit to a second unit, utilizing a flexible polymer hose and a separation unit for gas and fluid separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum pump is used to suction viscous fluid through a hose without a gas inlet, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the pump stalls when pumping viscous fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into separate functional sections: a liquid inlet portion connected to the vacuum pump, and a gas inlet portion connected to atmospheric pressure. This segmentation allows gas and liquid to enter separately, preventing stalling while maintaining reliable continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Atmospheric pressure acts as an intermediary force that pushes gas into the hose to displace the viscous fluid. This intermediary mechanism enables the pump to maintain continuous operation without stalling by providing a pressure differential that facilitates fluid movement.
2Productivity
If gas flow is allowed into the hose to assist suction, then pumping effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to be adjustable, allowing the operator to dynamically control the gas flow rate according to the specific pumping requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability optimizes pumping effectiveness for different viscous fluid conditions while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the valve opening parameter, the gas flow rate into the hose can be adjusted to match the viscosity and volume of the viscous fluid being pumped. This parameter adjustment enables effective pumping across different operating conditions without requiring complex automated control systems.
3Productivity
If the gas inlet is positioned close to the first unit outlet, then fluid removal efficiency improves, but risk of air mixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet is positioned at a specific location close to the outlet of the first unit, creating a localized region where gas enters to push the viscous fluid into the hose. This localized gas injection improves fluid removal efficiency at the critical interface without causing excessive air mixing throughout the entire system.
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 solution ensures continuous and effective pumping of viscous fluids without stalling, using a robust and cost-effective setup that maintains constant operation by managing gas flow and fluid separation efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump is connected to the hose or pipe and the viscous fluid is moved through the hose or pipe by suction
Implementation Method 2
the second unit is subjected to a constant vacuum, consequently the viscous fluid is pulled or moved into the hose or pipe
Implementation Method 3
a flow of gas is allowed into the hose or pipe between the outlet of the first unit and the inlet of the second unit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method are shown for removing or moving a viscous fluid such as grease from a first unit such as a bearing e.g. a ball bearing to a second unit via a hose or pipe. According to the method, the apparatus is shown pumping a viscous fluid from an outlet (11) of a first unit (1) to an inlet (10) of a second unit (2) through a hose or pipe (7), a vacuum pump (3) is connected to the hose or pipe (7) and the viscous fluid is moved through the hose or pipe (7) by suction; wherein the hose or pipe (7) comprises an inlet (8) for gas such as air, and the flow of gas through the inlet (8) is controlled by a valve (9).