My IoT Pulsed Pump Prototype

[0x90 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 0x90]

Wanted to share a project I've been working on. It's an IoT pump designed for pulsed pumping. High and low setpoints are defines along with their intervals and a total session length. It is fully integrated with Blynk as the IoT platform.

Larger photos here

Here's the enclosed project
external.jpg

Here's the internals
internals_comments.jpg

Here's the UI
ui.jpg

Here's the Arduino code

Not sure if I'm allowed to post specific component model numbers.. I'm not selling anything.

It's a work in progress but as of right now it's working great. Code needs some cleanup and refactoring.. Some things I'll be changing in the future.

- Slightly larger enclosure.
- Smaller vacuum pump. This one is great but oversized for the project. Need something that pulls slower.
- Solenoid pressure release valve is normally closed. A normally open valve would be safer.
- Adding in a small valve between the main line and the solenoid release valve to slow down pressure release.
- Add a switch for emergency release hard wired directly to solenoid valve.
- Add a physical pressure release port dialed in at 10-12 in Hg.

Figured you guys would get a kick out of this.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Thanks for the input.

[solidlength Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close solidlength]

Props for doing this, as this is one of my hobbies (or should I say two if you include PE) I do appreciate the post.

As someone who manually pulse pumps with an Air pump, what do you see as the advantages (if any) of making this invention? Control/accurate repeatability are the only two coming to my mind.

[0x90 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 0x90]

Glad you enjoyed the post.

Comparing to manual pulse pumping, I would say the biggest advantage is the automation aspect. Plug it in, stick it in, and go. There's no need to time your switchover intervals and it's completely hands-free. I never get a 100% seal on my pump (hate shaving), so when pressure falls below setpoint, the pump automatically kicks on to dial pressure back up.

Another thing I'm going to add in is automatic data logging. I like tracking PE time.

Another idea with the scheduler.. Instead of switching to high/low for the duration of the session, I'd like have a session planner. Example for a 10 minute session:
5m @ 5Hg -> 30s @ 2Hg -> 1m @ 6Hg -> 30s @ 3Hg -> 3m @ 4Hg

[pump4girth Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pump4girth]

That is fantastic. Keep up the great work.

[Xystum Member Find all posts View Profile Close Xystum]

I saw your post months ago and I've been thinking about it every once in a while.

I've decided I'm going to buy all the parts and put this together. I have a bit of experience with code and I'm proficient with electronics and building systems like this.

How is the system working for you?

Any changes to your system since?

For my own PE, found that pulsing works very good for me. Automation should make this more efficient and consistent.