Multi-chamber Wobble Plate Pump Asymmetric Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-chamber wobble plate pumps face issues with air and particle entrapment, noise, mechanical stress, and potential damage from pressure surges due to blocked outlets, which affect efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates asymmetric inlet valves with thin sections and peripheral seal beads to prevent air entrapment, a diaphragm with a thin cross-sectional hinge for increased displacement, a pulsation damper and flexible liner to absorb pressure transients, and an integrated relief valve with an elastomeric sleeve for sealing and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-chamber wobble plate pumps operate with overlapping outflow from pump chambers, then continuous fluid flow is achieved, but pressure surges are created that generate noise and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
A common outlet chamber is introduced as an intermediary between the individual pump chambers and the outlet port. This common chamber receives fluid from multiple pump chambers simultaneously and distributes it to the outlet, acting as a buffer that equalizes pressure fluctuations and eliminates the pressure surges caused by overlapping outflows while maintaining continuous flow
2Ease of operation
If the pump is initially primed, then fluid can be pumped, but air and particles may become entrapped within the pump chambers reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chambers are designed with inclined surfaces that facilitate the preliminary action of air and particle removal during the priming process. These inclined surfaces guide entrapped air and particles toward the outlet, preventing their accumulation in the pump chambers before operation begins, thereby maintaining pump efficiency
3Reliability
If the outlet is blocked, then the pump continues to operate, but extreme pressures are generated that can damage the pump and plumbing
Solution Approach 1:
A relief valve is incorporated into the pump design as a beforehand protective measure. This relief valve automatically opens when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, releasing excess pressure before it can reach damaging levels. This provides beforehand cushioning against the harmful effects of blocked outlets, protecting both the pump and associated plumbing from damage
4Reliability
If the diaphragm is made robust, then it can withstand wear and leakage, but the hinge area may experience increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm is designed with local quality variations, featuring a thin cross-sectional area specifically at the hinge area while maintaining sufficient thickness in the sealing regions. This localized thinning reduces stress concentration at the hinge during operation, while the diaphragm retains adequate robustness for sealing and wear resistance in critical areas
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
This configuration minimizes air and particle entrapment, reduces noise and mechanical stress, and prevents damage from pressure surges, enhancing the pump's efficiency, reliability, and longevity while containing leaks within the pump.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsation damper and a flexible liner located in-line with an outward flow of fluid and which absorb pressure transients and reduce noise
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric sleeve may be located adjacent to the wobble plate to provide both a seal and a noise absorber
Implementation Method 3
Each inlet valve may have an asymmetric cross-section with a thin section and/or a peripheral seal bead. The thin section is located away from an outlet port and opens before the remaining portion of the inlet valve opens to assist in the prevention of air entrapment in the pump chamber
Implementation Method 4
Each inlet valve may have an asymmetric cross-section with a thin section and/or a peripheral seal bead
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chamber wobble plate pump that includes a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of pump chambers. The pump includes inlet valves having an asymmetric cross-section with a thin section and/or a peripheral seal bead. A wobble plate is coupled to a diaphragm and a plurality of pistons. Rotation of the wobble plate moves the pistons within the pump chambers to draw in and force fluid out of the chambers. The diaphragm may have a thin cross-sectional area that creates a hinge. The pump may further have a pulsation damper and a flexible liner located in-line with an outward flow of fluid and which absorb pressure transients and reduce noise. The pulsation dampener may be integrated into the relief valve. An elastomeric sleeve may be located adjacent to the wobble plate to provide both a seal and a noise absorber.