Vacuum Pump Inlet Valve Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum pumps face challenges with thermal overload, oil emissions, pressure fluctuations, and increased complexity and costs due to existing methods for regulating pressure at the inlet, which affect reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An inlet valve with a housing having two fluidly sealed cavities and a movable element, where a spring exerts force to control fluid flow between the cavities, allowing pressure regulation at the inlet channel, preventing oil emissions, and reducing the need for an oil pump, thus maintaining efficient operation across a range of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vacuum pump starts at high pressure, then it can achieve vacuum quickly, but it causes thermal overload and motor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve performs preliminary action by reducing the pressure at the vacuum pump inlet before the pump starts operating. The valve opens to allow atmospheric pressure to act on the movable element, which then closes the inlet channel to prevent high-pressure gas from entering the vacuum pump, thereby protecting the motor from thermal overload while enabling quick vacuum achievement.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet valve acts as an intermediary device between the atmosphere and the vacuum pump inlet. It controls the pressure conditions at the pump inlet through the movable element that responds to pressure differences, mediating the transition from atmospheric pressure to vacuum conditions without subjecting the pump to harmful high-pressure operation.
2Reliability
If multiple valves and stages are used to regulate pressure, then pressure control improves, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve combines multiple functions into a single device: it regulates pressure at the vacuum pump inlet, prevents oil emissions, and protects the motor from thermal overload. The single valve with its movable element performs what would traditionally require multiple valves and stages, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple pressure regulation valves into a single integrated inlet valve. The valve body, movable element, spring, and inlet channel are combined in one assembly that simultaneously performs pressure reduction and protection functions, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary valves and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If an oil pump is added to maintain oil circulation, then oil flow is maintained, but manufacturing costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve enables the vacuum pump system to maintain oil circulation without requiring a separate oil pump. By controlling the pressure at the inlet and preventing oil emissions through proper pressure regulation, the system maintains oil flow through its natural circulation paths, making the oil pump redundant and reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If pressure reduction waiting time is extended, then thermal overload risk decreases, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet valve performs preliminary pressure reduction action before the vacuum pump operates, eliminating the need for extended waiting periods. The valve quickly establishes protective pressure conditions at the inlet, allowing the pump to immediately operate at optimal conditions without prolonged thermal stress, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
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 valve ensures efficient and reliable operation by maintaining optimal working speed and temperature, reducing motor fluctuations, minimizing oil emissions, and eliminating the need for an oil pump, thereby enhancing the vacuum pump's performance and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
means for exerting a force on the movable element, wherein the means for exerting a force on the movable element comprise a spring positioned in the first cavity and pushing on the movable element
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to an inlet valve for regulating the pressure at the inlet channel of a vacuum pump (11) comprising: - a first chamber (1) defined by a housing (3) having at least one inlet channel (4) connected to a first supply of a fluid, the first chamber (1) comprising a movable element (5) defining two cavities (1a and 1b) fluidly sealed from each-other and means for exerting a force on the movable element (5); - a second chamber (2) separated from the first chamber (1) by a wall (7) and defined by a housing (3), said second chamber (2) being in direct communication with a process channel (8) of a second supply of a fluid;a valve body (9) slidably mounted in the wall (7) in such a way as to prevent a fluid flow between the second chamber (2) and the second cavity of the first chamber (1b), the valve body (9) having a distal end (9a) in extending into the first cavity (1a) of the first chamber (1) and a proximal end (9b), said valve body being movable between an initial closed state in which the proximal end (9b) is pushed against a sealing flange (10) and a second, opened state, in which a fluid flows from the process channel to the inlet channel (11) of the vacuum pump, characterized in that - the valve body (12) comprises a fluid channel (18) extending through the valve body (12) allowing a fluid flow between the first cavity (6a) and the inlet channel (14) of the vacuum element (1).