Multistage Vacuum Pump Relief Valve for Compact Serviceable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relief valves in multistage pumps, especially those handling corrosive fluids, face rapid wear and are difficult to access due to their large size and high component count, making servicing challenging.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure relief valve assembly that integrates with the pump's structure, featuring a valve seat within the pump and a removable sealing and biasing mechanism, allowing the valve to be inserted in a compressed state and expanded to seal the orifice, reducing the part count and enabling easy insertion, operation, and servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a cartridge relief valve is used, then the valve can be easily removed for servicing, but the valve size and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve is divided into two main segments: a fixed valve body that remains in the pump and a removable valve assembly that can be extracted. The valve body includes the orifice and valve seat, while the removable assembly contains the sealing end with sealing member, biasing member, and retaining means. This segmentation allows the smaller removable assembly to be easily serviced while maintaining the integrated valve seat in the pump structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing end assembly (comprising sealing member, biasing member, and retaining means) is extracted as a separate removable component from the pump body. This extracted assembly can be removed through the inter-stage cavity for servicing while the valve body remains fixed in the pump, reducing the amount of material that needs to be handled during maintenance.
2Ease of repair
If a cartridge relief valve is used, then the valve can be easily removed for servicing, but the component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components are merged into the pump structure itself: the valve seat is formed as part of the inter-stage divider or pump body, and the biasing member is integrated with the removable sealing end assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled during servicing, as the valve body and seat remain fixed in the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-stage divider structure serves multiple functions: it separates pumping stages, provides structural support, and incorporates the valve seat for the relief valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valve body components, reducing overall part count while maintaining ease of removal for the sealing end assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the valve is inserted in compressed state, then the valve can be inserted into the pump, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure transitions between two dynamic states: compressed for insertion and extended for operation. The retaining means (such as a cam mechanism or spring-loaded latch) enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the sealing end assembly to be compressed into a compact form for insertion through the inter-stage cavity, then automatically or manually extended to its operational position where the sealing member engages the valve seat.
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 provides a smaller, more maintainable relief valve that effectively manages pressure relief without obstructing the fluid flow path, enhancing accessibility and reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure relief valve sealing the orifice when in the elongated state and being configured to move to the compressed state such that the orifice is not obstructed, in response to pressure in the upstream stage rising above a predetermined value
Implementation Method 2
a spring within the valves pushes the sealing face against the valve seat when in the elongated state
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple stage rotary vacuum pump comprising: a stator comprising multiple pumping stages; at least one inter-stage divider separating two adjacent pumping stages; the at least one inter-stage divider comprising two walls defining a cavity therebetween, an upstream wall bounding an upstream pumping stage and a downstream wall bounding a downstream pumping stage of the two adjacent pumping stages. The cavity comprising at least a portion of a pressure relief fluid flow path, the pressure relief fluid flow path providing a path from an outlet portion of the upstream stage towards an inlet portion of the upstream stage or towards an exhaust, the pressure relief fluid flow path comprising an orifice, the orifice comprising a valve seat; and a pressure relief valve configured to move between a compressed and an elongated state, the pressure relief valve sealing the orifice when in the elongated state and being configured to move to the compressed state such that the orifice is not obstructed, in response to pressure in the upstream stage rising above a predetermined value.