Variable-Pressure Pumping Unit for Low-Flow Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable-pressure cleaning systems face challenges with high operating pressures and flow-rates, making them difficult for operators to handle and resulting in inefficient water use and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A system with a variable-pressure and low-flow-rate pumping unit, comprising a high-pressure pump, electric motor, inverter for flow-rate control, special low-flow-rate nozzle, and air compressor, designed to minimize water usage and adaptability, with adjustable pressure from 0 to 500 bar and flow-rate from 2 to 4 liters per minute.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If high-pressure pump systems are used to achieve high cleaning pressure, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water flow-rate becomes excessively high (30-90 litres/minute) causing operator difficulty and environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning pressureVSAvoidwater flow-rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the pump system by using a piston pump with variable displacement mechanism, allowing the pump to operate at high pressure (up to 200 bar) while maintaining low water flow-rate (2-4 litres/minute). This is achieved by adjusting the displacement volume of the piston pump based on operational needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between high pressure and high flow-rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of the pump operation through a starting device that activates the piston pump only during brief intervals (a few seconds) when high pressure is needed, rather than continuous operation. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve high cleaning pressure when required while keeping overall water consumption minimal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If variable-pressure pumping systems are used to reduce water flow-rate, then environmental impact is reduced, but operator control becomes difficult due to uncontrolled splashes and violent jets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater flow-rateVSAvoidoperator control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a control device that monitors and regulates the operation of the piston pump, activating it only when high pressure is actually needed during the cleaning cycle. This feedback-based control ensures that water is delivered at controlled intervals, preventing uncontrolled splashes while maintaining operator control over the cleaning process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The piston pump operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, with the starting device activating the pump for short intervals (a few seconds) followed by pause periods. This periodic action delivers water in controlled bursts, maintaining low overall flow-rate while providing sufficient pressure during active cleaning moments, thereby improving operator control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Stress or pressure

If high-pressure pump systems are used to achieve high pressure output, then cleaning power is improved, but system size and weight increase making transportation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure outputVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential high-pressure generation function from a traditional continuous high-pressure pump system by using a piston pump that operates intermittently. This extracted approach allows the system to achieve high pressure output (up to 200 bar) without requiring the continuous power and size of a full high-pressure pump system, thereby reducing overall system weight and improving portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves reduced energetic and environmental impact, minimizes waste, and allows for flexible and efficient operation with compact, lightweight design, enabling easy transportation and use in various cleaning applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one inverter 5 for controlling the revolutions of the pump 1, connected to the motor 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one pneumatic motor rotated by compressed air supplied by at least one air compressor 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2893193B1System equipped with variable-pressure and low- flow-rate pumping unit, in particular for cleaning
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 NUOVE TECH APPLICATE
  • EP2893193B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A system is described, in particular for cleaning, comprising: at least one high-pressure pumping unit (1) adapted to pump water or other similar fluids with a high output pressure; at least one electric motor (3) connected to the variable-pressure pump (1) for its actuation; at least one device (5) for regulating the revolutions of the pump (1), connected to the motor (3) for its control and for regulating the pump (1) in order to deliver water at a variable pressure, preferably from 0 to 500 bar, and at a very low flow-rate, preferably from 2 to 4 1/min; at least one nozzle (15) equipped with at least one rotary head rotated by at least one pneumatic motor; and at least one air compressor (7) designed to provide the supply compressed air to such pneumatic motor.