The Other Diaphragm with the Central Rod
Air Inlet
Cylindrical Hive Valve
Air Valve
Auto Cleaning Ring
The Other Side of Assembled Pump Core
Assembled Pump Core
Pilot Valve
Diaphragm
Pump Core Structure

Inspiration

Our inspiration came from hands-on experience working with double-diaphragm pneumatic pumps in chemical processing applications. During operation, we encountered challenges such as clogging caused by crystallization and changes in liquid temperature. These experiences motivated me to explore the pump’s internal mechanisms and investigate potential design improvements.

What it does

This project presents a detailed 3D CAD reconstruction of the internal components of a double-diaphragm pneumatic pump. The model illustrates the mechanical structure and provides a foundation for exploring design modifications (an auto-cleaning ring) that could improve reliability, simplify maintenance, and reduce operational issues.

The Auto-Cleaning Ring is designed to utilize the pump’s existing reciprocating motion to help remove accumulated deposits from selected internal surfaces. By reducing material buildup, the design aims to minimize clogging, improve operational reliability, and reduce the need for manual cleaning.

How we built it

We used Autodesk Inventor to recreate the pump’s internal components through 3D modeling. The process involved examining individual parts, measuring their dimensions, creating sketches, and applying features such as extrusion, revolution, and patterns. The components were then modeled to represent their original geometry and mechanical relationships.

Building upon the original pump design, we explored the integration of an Auto-Cleaning Ring that could operate alongside the pump’s existing mechanical motion without requiring an additional power source.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was accurately recreating complex component geometries, especially curved surfaces and internal features. Understanding how individual components interact within the pump also required careful examination. Translating physical measurements into accurate CAD models involved multiple adjustments and troubleshooting steps.

Another important design challenge was developing a cleaning mechanism that could fit within the existing pump structure without interfering with its normal operation. Balancing cleaning effectiveness, mechanical clearance, and component compatibility was a key consideration.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of successfully translating a real industrial pump into a detailed digital model and using it as the foundation for an innovative design concept.

Additionally, the Auto-Cleaning Ring represents an effort to address a practical industrial problem through a relatively simple mechanical modification rather than a complete pump redesign.

What we learned

Through this project, we gained a deeper understanding of pneumatic pump mechanisms, CAD modeling, and mechanical design.

More importantly, we learned how real-world operational challenges can inspire engineering improvements. Even a relatively small modification to an existing mechanical system may offer opportunities to improve functionality and maintenance efficiency.

What's next for Double-Diaphragm Pneumatic Pump

The next step is to complete the external parts of the pump, refine the Auto-Cleaning Ring design, evaluate its mechanical compatibility with the pump’s reciprocating components, and investigate suitable materials for chemical resistance and wear durability.

Future work will focus on prototype testing to determine whether the proposed mechanism can effectively reduce deposit buildup and improve long-term pump reliability.