The present disclosure relates to a pumping system and a method for providing constant fluid flow at an exit of a flow hose of the pumping system.
Pumps, such as peristaltic pumps or other such pumps that provide a non-constant outputs are used in a variety of applications. For example, such pumps may be used to pump materials such as liquid concrete and/or other viscous fluids/slurries containing fragments like mud, sand, sand sized particles, aggregates, etc. Such pumps may be used in three-dimensional (3D) printing applications or other similar applications. For example, large sized pumps may be used in 3D printing in construction applications. However, such applications require a constant output flow from the pumps.
The pumps that are currently being used to pressurize fluids containing fragments provide a pulsating or non-constant output which is not desirable. Further, flow surges from such pumps may not be desirable. Moreover, some passively controlled accumulators are available in the industry that can be used for damping output pulsations. However, such accumulators do not perform satisfactorily with non-Newtonian fluids such as cementitious mixtures containing aggregates, or other such fluids which have non-linear coefficient of friction.
KR101916892B1 describes a fast groove joint capable of easily homogenizing internal pressure of a pipe. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fast groove joint comprises a clamp having a ring gasket inserted therein to connect a pipe disposed in series in a longitudinal direction and a coupling flange formed on both sides. Further, a protruding part is inserted into the clamp that protrudes towards a central part. Moreover, the ring gasket has a corrugated part which includes a groove part formed at the protruding part in a groove shape to allow gas or liquid to flow therein for aligning the position of the pipe so as to maintain straightness of the pipe.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a pumping system is provided. The pumping system includes a first pump for delivering a fluid. The pumping system also includes a flow hose for receiving the fluid from the first pump. The pumping system further includes a compression mechanism disposed proximate to the flow hose for partially compressing the flow hose. The compression mechanism includes at least one of a hydraulic compression system and a mechanical compression system. The pumping system includes a controller communicably coupled with the first pump. The controller is configured to detect a flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump. The controller is also configured to activate the compression mechanism for partially compressing the flow hose in order to reduce a volume of the flow hose during the flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump. The partial compression of the flow hose provides a constant fluid flow at an outlet of the flow hose.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing a constant fluid flow of a fluid at an outlet of a flow hose is provided. The method includes detecting, by a controller of a pumping system, a flow reduction of the fluid exiting a first pump of the pumping system. The first pump delivers the fluid towards the flow hose. The method also includes activating, by the controller, a compression mechanism of the pumping system during the flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump. The compression mechanism is disposed proximate to the flow hose for partially compressing the flow hose. Further, the compression mechanism includes at least one of a hydraulic compression system and a mechanical compression system. The method further includes compressing, partially, the flow hose by the compression mechanism in order to reduce a volume of the flow hose based on the activation of the compression mechanism. The partial compression of the flow hose by the compression mechanism provides the constant fluid flow at the outlet of the flow hose.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Wherever possible, corresponding, or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
The pumping system 100 includes a first pump 102 for delivering a fluid. In some examples, the fluid may contain fragments of material therein. The fluid may include viscous fluids, including highly viscous fluids, or slurries. In an example, the fluid may include a non-Newtonian fluid. For example, the fluid may include cementitious fluids or liquid concrete. Further, the fragments of material may include aggregates, sand, mud, sand-sized particles, and the like. In an example, the first pump 102 may include a positive displacement pump, such as a roller pump. For example, the first pump 102 includes a peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the first pump 102 may include any other type of pump that provides a pulsating or non-constant fluid output, without any limitations.
The first pump 102 may include a flexible tubing (not shown) disposed within a pump casing (not shown). The fluid to be pumped is contained within the flexible tubing. Further, the first pump 102 may include a rotor (not shown) having one or more rollers (not shown) attached at an external circumference thereof. The rollers compress the flexible tubing as they rotate such that a portion of the flexible tubing that is in compression is closed, forcing the fluid to move through the flexible tubing. It should be noted that a design and an arrangement of the first pump 102 described herein is exemplary, and the first pump 102 may include any other design or arrangement, without any limitations. Further, the first pump 102 includes a sensor 104 communicably coupled with a controller 106. In some examples, the sensor 104 generates an input signal indicative of a displacement of the first pump 102 or a pressure proximate an outlet 108 of the first pump 102. For example, the sensor 104 may be used to indicate a timing at which there may be a pulsation event that causes flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump 102.
The first pump 102 delivers the fluid towards a flow hose 110 (shown in
Further, the pumping system 100 includes a compression mechanism 112 disposed proximate to the flow hose 110 for partially compressing the flow hose 110. The compression mechanism 112 includes at least one of a hydraulic compression system 113 (shown in
Further, the hydraulic compression system 113 includes a tube 118 for receiving the flow hose 110 and the bladder 114. Further, the length of the flow hose 110 is generally greater than a length “L1” of the tube 118 but lesser than a length “L2” of the bladder 114. Moreover, the length “L2” of the bladder 114 is greater than the length “L1” of the tube 118. In the illustrated example, a first axis “A1” defined by the flow hose 110 is substantially parallel to a second axis “A2” defined by the bladder 114 such that the flow hose 110 is disposed adjacent to the bladder 114.
The tube 118 includes a first portion 120 and a second portion 122 that is coupled to the first portion 120. For example, the first and second portions 120, 122 may be connected to each other by hinges. The tube 118 includes a circular cross-section herein. Alternatively, the tube 118 may have any other cross-section, such as a rectangular cross-section or a square cross-section. In some examples, the tube 118 may be made of a metallic material. Alternatively, the tube 118 may be made of a non-metallic material. In the illustrated example, the first and second portions 120, 122 are semi-circular in shape such that the first and second portions 120, 122 when coupled form the tube 118.
The tube 118 is embodied as a rigid tube. Further, as shown in
Referring again to
In the illustrated example, the bladder 114 is inflated to partially compress the flow hose 110 in order to reduce the volume of the flow hose 110. Accordingly, the hydraulic compression system 113 includes a second pump 130 communicably coupled with the controller 106 for delivering a pressurized hydraulic fluid towards the bladder 114 during the flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump 102. The pressurized hydraulic fluid inflates the bladder 114 for reducing the volume of the flow hose 110. More particularly, the controller 106 actuates the second pump 130 to deliver the pressurized hydraulic fluid towards the bladder 114. The hydraulic fluid may include water, or any other hydraulic fluid, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The pressurized hydraulic fluid may be delivered to the bladder 114 at a controlled pressure and a controlled flow rate.
The bladder 114 compresses the flow hose 110 along the length of the flow hose 110. Specifically, the cross-section of the flow hose 110 reduces as the bladder 114 compresses the flow hose 110. The compression of the flow hose 110 by the bladder 114 causes the fluid within the flow hose 110 to be compressed. Further, a compressed volume of the fluid is squeezed out through the outlet 128 of the flow hose 110 when the first pump 102 is outputting less amount of fluid, thus adding to fluid output for providing a constant output of the fluid at the outlet 128 of the flow hose 110.
Moreover, the controller 106 releases the compression mechanism 112 in the controlled manner during a normal flow from the first pump 102. More particularly, the controller 106 may control the second pump 130 to reduce or stop the flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid towards the bladder 114. The flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid is reduced slowly and in a controlled manner. The reduction in the flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid causes the flow hose 110 to return to its original position thus subtracting some flow and providing the constant output of the fluid at the outlet 128 of the flow hose 110.
Further, the flow hose 110 and the bladder 114 are received within the tube 118. The tube 118 includes a circular cross-section herein. As illustrated, the length “L2” of the bladder 114 is lesser than the length “L1” of the tube 118. Further, when the flow hose 110 and the bladder 114 are received within the tube 118, the flow hose 110 and the bladder 114 may be partially compressed at the contact portions 124, 126. Moreover, as illustrated, the first axis “A1” defined by the flow hose 110 is substantially parallel to the second axis “A2” defined by the bladder 114 such that the flow hose 110 is disposed adjacent to the bladder 114. A flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid through the bladder 114 may partially compress and vary the volume of the flow hose 110 for maintaining the constant output of the fluid at the outlet 128 of the flow hose 110.
As illustrated, the hydraulic compression system 113 includes a clamp 506 that couples the flow hose 504 with the bladder 502 so that the flow hose 504 can be concentrically received within the bladder 502. The clamp 506 is coupled with the bladder 502 using mechanical fasteners 508. Further, the clamp 506 defines an internal diameter “D1” that aligns with an inner diameter “D2” of the flow hose 504 so that the fluid can flow through the flow hose 504.
It should be noted that, in the illustrated example, the fluid flows through the flow hose 504 whereas the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through a hollow space 510 that is defined between the flow hose 504 and the bladder 502. Further, the flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid through the bladder 502 may partially compress and vary the volume of the flow hose 504 for maintaining the constant output of the fluid at an outlet 512 of the flow hose 504.
The mechanical compression system 115 also includes an actuating mechanism 136 for moving the one or more compression plates 116 for partially compressing the flow hose 110. The actuating mechanism 136 is communicably coupled with the controller 106 (see
The compression of the flow hose 110 by the bladder 114 causes the fluid within the flow hose 110 to be compressed. Further, a compressed volume of the fluid present within the flow hose 110 is squeezed out of the flow hose 110 when the first pump 102 is outputting less amount of fluid, thus adding to fluid output for providing the constant output of the fluid.
Moreover, the controller 106 controls the compression plates 116 so that the compression plates 116 release the flow hose 110 in a controlled manner during the normal flow from the first pump 102. More particularly, the controller 106 may control the electric motor 138 to move the compression plates 116 away from each other. The compression plates 116 are moved slowly and in the controlled manner. As the flow hose 110 is released to return to its original position, some amount of fluid flow is subtracted thereby providing the constant output of the fluid exiting the flow hose 110.
In another example, the actuating mechanism 136 may include the actuator. For example, the actuator may include a hydraulic actuator or a pneumatic actuator. The actuator may be communicably coupled to the controller 106. The actuator may move the compression plates 116 for compressing the flow hose 110. In an example, the actuator may move both the compression plates 116. Alternatively, the actuator may move any one compression plate 116.
The controller 106 may be embodied as a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors for receiving signals from various components of the pumping system 100. Numerous commercially available microprocessors may be configured to perform the functions of the controller 106. It should be appreciated that the controller 106 may embody a microprocessor capable of controlling numerous functions. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the controller 106 may additionally include other components and may also perform other functions not described herein.
The present disclosure relates to the pumping system 100. The pumping system 100 can be used for pumping of highly viscous fluids or slurries that have fragments of various sizes present therein. A tendency of the fragments to lock with each other makes them difficult to move through the flow hose 110, 504. The pumping system 100 eliminates this challenge by partially compressing the flow hose 110, 504. The compression mechanism 112 in the form of the bladder 114, 502 and the compression plates 116 acts as an active accumulator device that compresses the flow hose 110, 504 in order to vary the cross-section of the flow hose 110, 504. The compression of the flow hose 110, 504 forces the compressed volume of the fluid out of the flow hose 110, 504 for maintaining constant fluid flow at the exit of the flow hose 110, 504.
The pumping system 100 includes the sensor 104 that assists in activating the compression mechanism 112 for compression of the flow hose 110, 504 when the first pump 102 is outputting less amount of material, thus maintaining the constant output at the outlet 128, 512 of the flow hose 110, 504. Further, the controller 106 releases the compression mechanism 112 in the controlled manner when the first pump 102 is outputting the normal flow, thus subtracting some amount of the fluid flow, and providing the constant output at the outlet 128, 512 of the flow hose 110, 504.
At step 704, the controller 106 activates the compression mechanism 112 of the pumping system 100 during the flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump 102. The compression mechanism 112 is disposed proximate to the flow hose 110, 504 for partially compressing the flow hose 110, 504. Further, the compression mechanism 112 includes the hydraulic compression system 113 or the mechanical compression system 115. In one example, the flow hose 110 and the bladder 114 are received within the tube 118. Further, the flow hose 110 is positioned adjacent to the bladder 114 such that the first axis “A1” defined by the flow hose 110 is substantially parallel to the second axis “A2” defined by the bladder 114. Alternatively, the flow hose 504 is positioned concentrically within the bladder 502 such that the first axis “A1” defined by the flow hose 504 is coaxial with the second axis “A2” defined by the bladder 502.
Moreover, in an example, the second pump 130 of the hydraulic compression system 113 that is communicably coupled with the controller 106 delivers the pressurized hydraulic fluid towards the bladder 114, 502 of the hydraulic compression system 113 during the flow reduction of the fluid exiting the first pump 102. The pressurized hydraulic fluid inflates the bladder 114, 502 for reducing the volume of the flow hose 110, 504. In another example, the one or more compression plates 116 of the mechanical compression system 115 are moved by the actuating mechanism 136 of the mechanical compression system 115 for partially compressing the flow hose 110. The actuating mechanism 136 is communicably coupled with the controller 106. The actuating mechanism 136 may include the electric motor 138 and/or the actuator.
At step 706, the flow hose 110, 504 is partially compressed by the compression mechanism 112 in order to reduce the volume of the flow hose 110, 504 based on the activation of the compression mechanism 112. The partial compression of the flow hose 110, 504 by the compression mechanism 112 provides the constant fluid flow at the outlet 128, 512 of the flow hose 110, 504. Further, the compression mechanism 112 is released in the controlled manner during the normal flow from the first pump 102.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof