Patent Application
20210270254
The present invention to a double membrane pump for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product and a method for detecting leaks in the pump.
The invention proposed here is used in the food industry, in particular in the dairy sector. The invention can also be used in the chemical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry.
Even though in varying, currently known embodiments, a homogenising apparatus comprises a high-pressure pump and a homogenising valve that act on the fluid products containing particles in order to:
In this context, the attention is focused on the pumping system.
The use of membrane (or diaphragm) pumps is known that employ a flexible member—precisely the “membrane” or “diaphragm”—for transmitting the pulsing force to the fluid to homogenise, ensuring the separation of the fluid itself with respect to the (contaminated) outside environment.
For example, document US 2012/0011998 shows a membrane pump in which the flexible member acts as a separator element between a containment chamber of the fluid to homogenise and a hydraulic chamber, containing oil, in which a piston is housed.
The flexible member of US 2012/0011998 is preferably formed by two membranes arranged in such a way as to define an intermediate chamber. The membranes are associated with a detection system of leakages caused by the breakage or damage of one of the two membranes, which comprises a pressure sensor capable of detecting variations in pressure associated with these leakages.
The method for detecting leakages described above does not allow identifying the membrane which is actually damaged. As a result of damage to the membrane in contact with the oil, the system for detecting leakages therefore sends a signal that triggers a stop of the machine. In this case, the stop of the machine could be avoided since the “product-side” membrane is still intact and ensures the separation from the contaminated area.
In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to provide a double membrane pump for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product and a method for detecting leakages in the pump, which obviate the drawbacks of the prior art cited above.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a double membrane pump for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product in which it is possible to detect the damage of one or the other membrane and to stop of the homogenising apparatus only when actually necessary. Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for detecting leakages in a double membrane pump, accurately localising them without having to disassemble the pump.
The technical task mentioned and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a double membrane pump for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product, comprising:
In accordance with one embodiment, the device for detecting leakages further comprises a memory configured to store:
The first interval of values, the second interval of values and the third interval of values are distinct and not overlapped.
In this embodiment, the control module is configured to establish if the physical magnitude detected by the first sensor falls within the first interval of values or within the second interval of values or within the third interval of values.
In accordance with another embodiment, the device for detecting leakages comprises a memory configured to store:
The first threshold, the second threshold and the third threshold are distinct.
In this embodiment, the control module is configured to establish if the physical magnitude detected by the first sensor is below only one, two or all three of the thresholds.
Preferably, the control module is also configured to compare the physical magnitude detected by the first sensor with a reference value indicative of the service fluid at the pure state and, in response to a variance from said reference value that is higher than a pre-established tolerance, is configured to generate a warning signal and/or a current signal.
For example, the warning signal is of the acoustic and/or luminous type. Preferably, the double membrane pump also comprises a measurement chamber located outside the pump body. The measurement chamber is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber.
In accordance with one embodiment, the first sensor is arranged on a first wall delimiting the measurement chamber or is at least partially immersed in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber.
In a configuration called “pulse echo”, the device for detecting leakages further comprises a reflector arranged on a second wall (opposite the first wall) delimiting the measurement chamber.
The first sensor is an ultrasound sensor configured to generate sound waves having a frequency comprised between 20 kHz and 100 MHz and to receive the sound waves reflected back by said reflector.
The physical magnitude is therefore a characteristic physical magnitude of the sound waves, for example chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, acoustic impedance of the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, spectrum of the reflected sound wave, amplitude of the reflected wave.
In a configuration called “through transmission”, the device for detecting leakages comprises a second sensor (instead of the reflector) arranged on a second wall (opposite the first wall) delimiting the measurement chamber or at least partially immersed in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber.
The second sensor is an ultrasound sensor configured to generate sound waves having a frequency comprised between 20 kHz and 100 MHz. The first sensor is therefore an ultrasound sensor configured to receive these sound waves.
Also here, the physical magnitude is a characteristic physical magnitude of the sound waves, for example chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, acoustic impedance of the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber, resonance frequency.
Preferably, in all the proposed embodiments, the device for detecting leakages comprises a temperature sensor.
The technical task mentioned and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a method for detecting leakages of a service fluid contained within two membranes that separate a hydraulic section containing a hydraulic fluid from a working section containing a fluid product to homogenise in a double membrane pump, comprising the steps of:
In accordance with one embodiment, the step of establishing if the physical magnitude detected is associated with the first or the second or the third condition consists in verifying if said physical magnitude falls within a first interval of values associated with the first condition or within a second interval of values associated with the second condition or within a third interval of values associated with the third condition.
The first interval of values, the second interval of values and the third interval of values are distinct and not overlapped.
Preferably, the method also comprises a step of comparing the physical magnitude detected with a reference value indicative of the service fluid in the pure state and, in response to a variance from said reference value that is higher than a pre-established tolerance, a step of generating a warning signal and/or a current signal.
Preferably, the method also comprises the steps of:
In accordance with one embodiment, the generation of the first sound wave and the receipt of the first sound wave after it has passed through the service fluid are carried out by two different ultrasound sensors.
For example, the physical magnitude is chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the service fluid, acoustic impedance of the service fluid, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the service fluid, resonance frequency.
In accordance with another embodiment, the first sound wave is generated is by a first ultrasound sensor, is reflected back by a reflector and is received by the first ultrasound sensor.
In this case, the physical magnitude is chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the service fluid, acoustic impedance of the service fluid, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the service fluid, spectrum of the reflected sound wave, amplitude of the reflected signal.
In accordance with a further embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of:
In this embodiment, the physical magnitude is a characteristic physical magnitude of the first light radiation for which the step of detecting said physical magnitude is carried out by measuring said physical magnitude in the first light radiation received after passing through the service fluid.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and thus non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product and a method for detecting leakages in the pump, as shown in the drawings in which
With reference to the figures, the number 1 indicates a double membrane pump, in particular for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product P1.
The double membrane pump comprises a pump body 2 inside which three distinct chambers are obtained:
The intermediate chamber 5 is interposed between the first chamber 3 and the second chamber 4 and is separated therefrom thanks to two membranes 6, 16. The two membranes 6, 16 are mutually spaced in such a way as to define the intermediate chamber 5.
In particular, a first membrane 6 separates the intermediate chamber 5 from the first chamber 3 and a second membrane 16 separates the intermediate chamber 5 from the second chamber 4.
A piston 7 is partially housed in the second chamber 4. The double membrane pump 1 comprises movement means (not shown) operatively active on the piston 7 to make it slide linearly inside the second chamber 4. In particular, the piston 7 is slidably mounted with respect to the inner walls delimiting the second chamber 4.
The double membrane pump 1 further comprises a device for detecting leakages 10 through at least one of the two membranes 6, 16. In particular, if one of the two membranes 6, 16 is damaged, the service fluid P3 is contaminated by one or both of the fluids present in the adjacent chambers (first chamber 3 and/or second chamber 4).
Advantageously, the device for detecting leakages 10 comprises:
The device for detecting leakages 10 also comprises a memory 13 configured to store:
The first interval of values I1, the second interval of values I2 and the third interval of values I3 are distinct and not overlapped.
The control module 12 is configured to establish if the physical magnitude S detected by the first sensor 11 falls within the first interval of values I1 or within the second interval of values I2 or within the third interval of values I3.
Alternatively, the memory 13 is configured to store:
The first threshold Th1, the second threshold Th2 and the third threshold Th3 are distinct.
In this case, the control module 12 is configured to establish if the physical magnitude S detected by the first sensor 11 is lower than only a single threshold, two thresholds or three.
Preferably, the device for detecting leakages 10 also comprises a temperature sensor (not shown). For example, the temperature sensor is arranged in such a way as to detect the temperature of the fluid present in the measurement chamber 14.
Advantageously, the double membrane pump 1 also comprises a measurement chamber 14 outside the pump body 2.
The measurement chamber 14 is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber 5 so as to receive the service fluid P3. For example, the measurement chamber 14 is in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber 5 through a conduit 15 obtained in the pump body 2.
In optimal conditions (intact membranes 6, 16, i.e. not damaged), the measurement chamber 14 is filled with service fluid P3.
Preferably, the first sensor 11 is arranged on a first wall 14a delimiting the measurement chamber 14, as shown in
The position and inclination of the first sensor 11 on the first wall 14a are chosen as a function of the type of service fluid P3 and the physical magnitude S that is to be detected.
In accordance with a first embodiment, illustrated in
In this case, the first sensor 11 is an ultrasound sensor configured to generate sound waves having a frequency comprised between 20 kHz and 100 MHz and to receive the sound waves reflected back by the reflector 17.
In other words, the reflector 17 is located on the opposite side from the first sensor 11 with respect to the fluid filling the measurement chamber 14.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, the first sensor 11 is at least partially immersed in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber 14. In this case, the first sensor 11 is introduced into the measurement chamber 14 through slits or openings obtained in a wall delimiting the measurement chamber 14.
In this context, the term “reflector” is meant as any object having reflective properties. By way of example, a steel plate is to be understood as a reflector.
For example, the second wall 14b can be made of steel, thereby constituting in itself the reflector 17.
In the first embodiment, the first sensor 11 thus performs the function of emitter and receiver of the signal (here: sound wave), with the aid of a simple reflector 17. This configuration is known in the field as “Pulse Echo”.
The physical magnitude S detected by the first sensor 11 is therefore a characteristic physical magnitude of the sound waves.
For example, in the first embodiment the physical magnitude S is chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the fluid, acoustic impedance of the fluid, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the fluid, spectrum of the reflected sound wave, amplitude of the reflected signal.
The choice of the physical magnitude S is connected to the fluids concerned, i.e. the fluid product P1 to homogenise, the service fluid P3 and the hydraulic fluid P2.
In a variation of the “Pulse Echo” configuration not shown, the use of a plurality of first sensors 11 is provided, installed on the first wall 14a or partially immersed in the fluid housed in the measurement chamber 14, each of which is configured to detect a different characteristic physical magnitude S of the sound waves.
Each of the first sensors 11 can be coupled with a corresponding reflector 17. Alternatively, by making the second wall 14b in steel, it acts as a single reflector 17 for all the first sensors 11.
In accordance with a second embodiment, illustrated in
This configuration, known in the field as “Through Transmission”, therefore provides at least one pair of sensors (emitter-receiver) between which the service fluid P3 is interposed.
The first sensor 11 is an ultrasound sensor configured to receive sound waves having a frequency comprised between 20 kHz and 100 MHz. In the following, the first sensor 11 is indicated as “receiver”.
A second ultrasound sensor 21, indicated in the following as “emitter”, is instead configured to generate sound waves having a frequency comprised between 20 kHz and 100 MHz.
In
In an alternative embodiment not shown, both the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 21 are at least partially immersed in the fluid contained in the measurement chamber 14. In this case, the first sensor 11 and the second sensor 21 are introduced into the measurement chamber 14 through slits or openings obtained in a wall delimiting the measurement chamber 14.
For example, in the second embodiment, the physical magnitude S is chosen among: speed of the sound wave in the fluid, acoustic impedance of the fluid, travel time of the sound wave, attenuation of the sound wave in the fluid, resonance frequency.
The distance between the emitter and receiver, their position and their mutual inclination are chosen as a function of the characteristics of the service fluid P3 and of the physical magnitude S to be detected.
The choice of the physical magnitude S is connected to the fluids concerned, i.e. the fluid product P1 to homogenise, the service fluid P3 and the hydraulic fluid P2.
In one variation of the “Through Transmission” configuration not shown, the use of a plurality of first sensors 11 and second sensors 21 is provided, respectively installed on the first wall 14a and on the second wall 14b (or partially immersed in the fluid present in the measurement chamber 14), each of which is configured to detect/emit a different characteristic physical magnitude S of the sound waves.
In all the embodiments described, the control module 12 is configured to set various parameters of the sound wave, such as for example: the emission window, the amplification or attenuation of the sound wave, the time window within which to detect the characteristic physical magnitude of the sound wave.
Preferably, in both the first and in the second embodiment, the control module 12 is also configured to compare the physical magnitude S detected by the first sensor 11 with a reference value Srif indicative of the service fluid P3 in the pure state, i.e. not mixed with the fluid product P1 to homogenise and/or with the hydraulic fluid P2. In response to a variance from the reference value Srif that is higher than a pre-established tolerance Δ, the control module 12 generates a warning signal of the acoustic and/or luminous type.
Alternatively or in addition, the control module 12 generates a current signal 4-20 mA that can be viewed on a screen (e.g. on a PLC).
The control module 12 preferably consists of an electronic module, suitably programmed to perform the functions described above, which can correspond to different hardware and/or routine software entities belonging to the programmed module.
As an alternative to the ultrasound technique described above with reference to variant embodiments, it is also possible to use optical technologies, e.g. optical microscope or NIR technology (acronym for “Near Infra Red”).
In the case of optical microscope technology, the first sensor 11 is an optical sensor and the physical magnitude detected is a light signal emitted by a source. Images are acquired of the fluid present in the intermediate chamber 5, whose analysis provides information on the contamination of the service fluid P3 by the fluid product P1 (thus the “first condition” applies) or by the hydraulic fluid P2 (thus the “second condition” applies) or by both part of the fluid product P1 and part of the hydraulic fluid P2 (thus the “third condition” applies).
In the case of NIR technology, a spectrophotometric analysis of the service fluid P3 is instead performed.
An NIR spectrophotometer is composed of a light source (e.g. a tungsten-halogen lamp), a monochromator, a sampler or an interface for the presentation of the sample and a detector for measuring the reflectance and transmittance (for example silicon, lead sulphate and indium and gallium arsenide).
From the above description, the characteristics of the double membrane pump for use in a homogenising apparatus of a fluid product and the method for detecting leakages in said pump, according to the present invention, are clear, as are the advantages.
In particular, the device for detecting leakages in the intermediate chamber allows distinguishing whether such leakages are associated with a damage/breakage of the “product-side” membrane or “piston-side” membrane or both.
In fact, the control module is able to establish if such damage/breakage concerns the first membrane (product side) or the second membrane (piston side) or both thanks to the detection of a characteristic property of the service fluid contained between the membranes, which is respectively contaminated by the fluid product to homogenise or by the hydraulic fluid in which the piston is immersed or by both these fluids.
In the first case, in fact, the fluid product to homogenise mixes with the service fluid, contaminating it and causing a “first condition” detectable by means of the measurement of the physical magnitude chosen.
Since the damage implies a “product-side” contamination, the stop of the homogenising apparatus can follow.
In the second case, instead, the service fluid is contaminated by the hydraulic fluid (“second condition”) for which it may not be necessary to stop the homogenising apparatus, as long as the “product side” is preserved from the contamination.
In the third case, the contamination of the service fluid occurs both “product side” and “piston side”, thus the stop of the homogenising apparatus follows.
Choosing intervals of values (or thresholds) which are distinct and not overlapped in physical magnitude, it is possible to discriminate which membrane is damaged/broken and certain (various) actions can be carried out on the homogenising apparatus employing the double membrane pump.
The proposed solution allows identifying in advance which membrane is damaged/broken, avoiding stopping the system and removing parts when it is not necessary.
In addition, the ability to detect different physical magnitudes allows using the proposed method with the various treated fluid products.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102019000008754 | Jun 2019 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/050943 | 2/6/2020 | WO | 00 |
