Abstract
This thesis investigates the development of a cost-effective active compensation systemto address pulsating fluid flow in peristaltic pumps. These pumps, recognized for their
contamination-free operation and low cost, are widely utilized in medical dosing and laboratory systems. Despite their advantages, the inherent pulsating flow limits their use
in applications requiring consistent fluid delivery, such as dosing systems and emerging fields like additive manufacturing. This study presents a computationally driven
approach to mitigate these irregularities, expanding the utility of peristaltic pumps in
cost-sensitive and precision-critical domains.
The methodology emphasized integrating hardware and software in an embedded
system for flow compensation. The system architecture leveraged theoretical models
to characterize flow dynamics in classical and eccentric pump geometries, forming the
basis for the compensation strategy. By efficiently utilizing embedded peripherals and
tailored software, the system achieves precise rotor speed control and open-loop flow
compensation, eliminating reliance on costly sensors or complex feedback mechanisms.
Key to validation was a novel video-based flow measurement system, which used
standard cameras and software for cost-effective, high-resolution analysis of flow patterns. Controlled experiments demonstrated the feasibility of the designed compensation
system and showed that, in tests with a classical pump configuration, flow irregularities
were reduced by 83.8 %.
This research bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical application, providing a scalable solution to improve the performance of low-cost peristaltic
pumps. The parametric nature of the computational models enhances adaptability, allowing them to be reused across a range of pump configurations.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English (American) |
| Supervisor | Josef Langer (Supervisor) |