Gear pump high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure

Abstract

The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure comprises a pump body, a driving motor and a pump cover, a gear working chamber is formed between the pump body and the pump cover, the pump body is provided with a medium inflow port and a medium outflow port, an ultrasonic ceramic vibrator is arranged on the outer side face of the pump cover, and the vibration output end of the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator is coupled with the plane of the outer surface of the pump cover; the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator comprises a front cover plate, a piezoelectric ceramic piece, a rear cover plate and a pre-tightening force screw rod, and is fixed through axial pre-tightening force; the front cover plate, the pump cover and the pump body are connected through the same set of fixing screws, and integrated compact installation is achieved. Through the cavitation effect generated by ultrasonic waves in the cleaning medium, comprehensive, online and efficient cleaning of the inner cavity of the gear pump, the gear meshing face and runner dead corners is achieved, and the device is suitable for the fields of food, medicine and the like with high sanitation requirements and has the advantages of being stable in structure, thorough in cleaning, free of disassembly, capable of saving energy and environmentally friendly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical equipment technology, and specifically to a high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump. Background Technology

[0002] In food and beverage production, gear pumps are a common type of fluid transport equipment, favored for their compact structure, stable flow rate, and low cost. They are widely used in the transfer and metering of syrups, juices, dairy products, chocolate, and other high-viscosity food media. Therefore, their reliability and hygiene standards directly affect the quality and safety of the final product. However, proteins, fats, and other components in these media easily adhere to the gear meshing surfaces, working walls, and dead corners of the flow channel. Long-term accumulation not only affects pump efficiency and increases energy consumption but may also lead to microbial growth, posing food safety risks.

[0003] Currently, the most common cleaning methods are manual disassembly and cleaning, and online chemical circulation cleaning. The former is cumbersome to operate, easily damages seals, and poses a risk of secondary contamination; the latter has limited cleaning effect on the complex internal cavity of gear pumps, easily leaves blind spots, and the problem of chemical residues cannot be ignored.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution that can achieve comprehensive, efficient, and thorough cleaning of the internal cavity of a gear pump without disassembling the pump body. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows: This invention provides a high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump, including a pump body, a drive motor at one end of the pump body and a pump cover at the other end, forming a cylindrical gear chamber between the pump body and the pump cover, and a medium inlet and a medium outlet communicating with the gear chamber on the pump body, and an ultrasonic ceramic transducer on the outer surface of the pump cover away from the gear chamber, the vibration output end of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer being coupled to the outer surface of the pump cover, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic ceramic transducer during operation being transmitted through the pump cover to the medium inside the gear chamber and generating a cavitation effect to achieve cleaning of the pump body cavity.

[0006] Furthermore, the ultrasonic ceramic transducer includes a front cover plate, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet, a rear cover plate, and a preload screw. The front cover plate is coupled to the pump cover. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is located between the front cover plate and the rear cover plate, and there is no less than one set of them. The preload screw passes through the rear cover plate, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the front cover plate in sequence, and applies axial preload to the entire assembly of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer. The preload screw is threadedly connected to the front cover plate.

[0007] Furthermore, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet includes a piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode sheet and a piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode sheet stacked sequentially along the axial direction of the preload screw.

[0008] Furthermore, insulating pads are provided between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode and the front cover plate, as well as between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode and the piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode.

[0009] Furthermore, the coupling surface between the front cover and the pump cover is flat.

[0010] Furthermore, the front cover, pump cover, and pump body are fixedly connected by the same set of fixing screws.

[0011] Furthermore, the pump body has at least two threaded holes evenly spaced on the side facing the pump cover, and the pump cover has at least two first through holes along its circumference. The front cover plate has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole along its circumference. The fixing screw passes through the second through hole and the first through hole in sequence and then connects with the threaded hole.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator. The controller is used to control the start / stop, operating frequency and power of the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator, and has an automatic frequency tracking function.

[0013] Furthermore, the ultrasonic ceramic transducer operates at a frequency of 28kHz or 40kHz, and its power is configured to be 50W-150W per liter of gear chamber volume. Beneficial effects

[0014] 1. Thorough and comprehensive cleaning: By integrating an ultrasonic ceramic transducer on the outside of the pump cover, high-frequency vibrations are transmitted to the medium inside the pump body. The micro-jet and high-frequency shock waves generated by the cavitation effect can cover all complex surfaces and hidden dead corners inside the gear pump, thereby achieving a thorough cleaning of all surfaces inside the pump body. The cleaning effect is significantly better than that of traditional methods.

[0015] 2. Online cleaning without disassembly: Enables efficient automatic cleaning of the gear pump without disassembly, saving time and manpower, and avoiding seal damage or secondary pollution caused by disassembly.

[0016] 3. Compact structure and high integration: The ultrasonic transducer is integrated into the pump cover through planar coupling and integrated screw fixing, which does not affect the original structure and sealing performance of the pump body, and is stable to install and easy to maintain.

[0017] 4. Environmentally friendly and safe: Reduces reliance on chemical cleaning agents, leaves no harmful residues, and meets the high hygiene standards of the food and pharmaceutical industries.

[0018] 5. Intelligent and controllable: The controller enables adjustable cleaning parameters, automatic frequency tracking, and timed cleaning, adapting to different working conditions and media types. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pump body and pump cover of the present invention in a separated state.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pump body, pump cover, front cover plate, and fixing screw of the present invention in a separated state.

[0023] In the attached diagram, the following labels are used: 1-pump body, 11-medium inlet, 12-gear chamber, 13-threaded hole, 2-drive motor, 3-pump cover, 31-first through hole, 4-ultrasonic ceramic transducer, 41-front cover plate, 411-second through hole, 42-insulating gasket, 43-piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode, 44-piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode, 45-rear cover plate, 46-preload screw, 5-fixing screw. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] Example: A high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pump includes a pump body 1, a drive motor 2, and a pump cover 3. One end of the pump body 1 is connected to the drive motor 2 via a flange. The drive motor 2 drives a gear inside the pump body 1 to rotate. The other end of the pump body 1 is bolted to the pump cover 3. An "8"-shaped gear chamber 12 is formed between the pump body 1 and the pump cover 3. The pump body 1 has a medium inlet 11 and a medium outlet (not shown in the figure) communicating with the gear chamber 12. The medium inlet 11 and the medium outlet are respectively located on the upper part of the pump body 1. On the lower sides, the medium inlet 11 and the medium outlet are used for the intake and discharge of the medium. An ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 is provided on the outer side of the pump cover 3 away from the gear chamber 12. The vibration output end of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 is coupled to the outer surface of the pump cover 3. When the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 is working, the ultrasonic vibration energy generated can be transmitted through the pump cover 3 to the medium inside the gear chamber 12 and generate a cavitation effect to clean the inner cavity of the pump body 1, such as rinsing the inner wall surface of the gear chamber 12, the gear meshing surface, and the fluid channel.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 includes a front cover plate 41, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet, a rear cover plate 45, and a preload screw 46. The front cover plate 41 is the vibration radiation surface, and the rear cover plate 45 is the vibration back surface. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is disposed between the front cover plate 41 and the rear cover plate 45. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet includes a piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode 43 and a piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode 44 stacked sequentially along the axial direction of the preload screw 46. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet can be designed as one or more sets according to the required power. The preload screw 46 passes sequentially through the rear cover plate 45, the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the front cover plate 41, and applies an axial preload force to the entire assembly of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4. The preload screw 46 is threadedly connected to the front cover plate 41. By tightening the preload screw 46, it is ensured that the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 can work efficiently and stably in the resonant state.

[0027] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the front cover plate 41 is coupled to the pump cover 3, and the coupling surfaces of the front cover plate 41 and the pump cover 3 are planar, thereby minimizing the loss of ultrasonic energy at the transmission interface. On the end face of the pump body 1 facing the pump cover 3, a plurality of threaded holes 13 are uniformly machined circumferentially. The pump cover 3 has a first through hole 31 corresponding to the threaded holes 13 along its circumference, and the front cover plate 41 has a second through hole 411 corresponding to the first through hole 31 along its circumference. During installation, the pump cover is first... 3. Align the first through hole 31 with the threaded hole 13 on the end face of the pump body 1; then align the front cover plate 41 of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 with the outer side of the pump cover 3, so that the second through hole 411 is aligned with the first through hole 31; finally, use a set of fixing screws 5 to pass through the second through hole 411 and the first through hole 31 in sequence, screw them into the threaded hole 13 and tighten them evenly, so as to fix the three into one, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the coupling between the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 and the pump cover 3.

[0028] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, insulating pads 42 are provided between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode 43 and the front cover plate 41, and between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode 43 and the piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode 44, for electrical insulation.

[0029] The system also includes a controller electrically connected to the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected to the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode 43 and the piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode 44 via wires. The controller controls the start and stop of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 and can adjust its operating frequency and output power to adapt to different cleaning needs or media conditions. The controller has a built-in automatic frequency tracking circuit, which can adjust the frequency of the output electrical signal in real time according to the resonant frequency change of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 under load, so as to maintain the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 operating in an optimal efficiency state.

[0030] Furthermore, the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 operates at a frequency of 28kHz or 40kHz, with a power configuration of 50W-150W per liter of gear chamber 12 volume. The power of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 can be selected based on the volume of the gear chamber 12, the characteristics of the medium, and the intensity of dirt adhesion. For cleaning dairy residues, a configuration of 80W-120W per liter of chamber volume is recommended; for conditions with severe oil stains or coking, a configuration of 120W-150W per liter is recommended. When large-area cleaning of the pump body 1's inner cavity is required, the operating frequency of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 is selected as 40kHz; when rinsing stubborn dirt from the pump body 1's inner cavity is required, the operating frequency of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 is selected as 28kHz.

[0031] When using a gear pump to transport dairy products, the drive motor 2 is powered on and drives the gears in the gear chamber 12 to rotate, thereby generating suction and pressure. The dairy products are drawn into the gear chamber 12 from the medium inlet 11. Under the meshing and squeezing of the gears in the gear chamber 12, the dairy products are discharged from the medium outlet, thus completing the dairy product transport function. During this process, the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator 4 does not participate in the operation. When the dairy product conveying process ends or the gear pump cavity needs cleaning before conveying the dairy product, the drive motor 2 operates. The cleaning medium flows into the gear chamber 12 through the medium inlet 11 and flows out of the pump body 1 through the medium outlet. Simultaneously, the controller applies a high-frequency alternating voltage to the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode 43 and the piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode 44 of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4. This causes the piezoelectric ceramic sheet to generate microscopic mechanical vibrations at corresponding frequencies under the inverse piezoelectric effect. The vibration of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is amplified by the cooperation of the front cover plate 41, the rear cover plate 45, and the preload screw 46, and is transmitted to the pump cover 3 through the front cover plate 41, and finally enters the medium in the gear chamber 12. When the high-frequency ultrasonic waves propagate in the liquid medium, they generate alternating positive and negative pressure zones. In the negative pressure zone, a large number of tiny vacuum bubbles are generated inside the liquid, which collapse instantaneously in the subsequent positive pressure zone. When the cavitation bubbles collapse, they generate local extreme high temperature, high pressure, and strong shock wave microjets. The shock wave microjet can impact all the inner surfaces of the gear chamber 12, thereby peeling off and breaking up contaminants such as oil stains, coke, and particulate matter attached to the inner surfaces of the gear chamber 12 and the gears. The peeled and broken contaminants are then dispersed or dissolved in the medium and carried out of the pump body 1 by the flowing medium. This achieves efficient, comprehensive, and thorough cleaning of the inner cavity of the pump body 1 without disassembling the pump body 1.

[0032] During normal media transport, drive motor 2 operates, while ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4 remains stationary. When cleaning is required, first stop media transport and remove any residual media from pump body 1. Then, start drive motor 2 and simultaneously introduce cleaning fluid (such as water or food-grade cleaning agent) into gear chamber 12 until the cleaning fluid fills the gear chamber 12 and flows steadily out of media outlet 14. Then, start ultrasonic ceramic transducer 4. High-frequency vibration is transmitted into the liquid through pump cover 3, generating a cavitation effect that peels away dirt from the inner wall. The dirt is then discharged from the pump with the flowing cleaning fluid, achieving efficient online cleaning.

[0033] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump, comprising a pump body (1), a drive motor (2) at one end of the pump body (1) and a pump cover (3) at the other end, a cylindrical gear chamber (12) being formed between the pump body (1) and the pump cover (3), and a medium inlet (11) and a medium outlet communicating with the gear chamber (12) on the pump body (1), characterized in that: An ultrasonic ceramic vibrator (4) is provided on the outer side of the pump cover (3) away from the gear chamber (12). The vibration output end of the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator (4) is coupled to the outer surface of the pump cover (3). When the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator (4) is working, the ultrasonic vibration energy generated can be transmitted through the pump cover (3) to the medium inside the gear chamber (12) and generate cavitation effect to achieve cleaning of the inner cavity of the pump body (1).

2. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic ceramic transducer (4) includes a front cover plate (41), a piezoelectric ceramic sheet, a rear cover plate (45), and a preload screw (46). The front cover plate (41) is coupled to the pump cover (3). The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is located between the front cover plate (41) and the rear cover plate (45), and there is no less than one set of them. The preload screw (46) passes through the rear cover plate (45), the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, and the front cover plate (41) in sequence, and applies axial preload to the entire assembly of the ultrasonic ceramic transducer (4). The preload screw (46) is threadedly connected to the front cover plate (41).

3. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: The piezoelectric ceramic sheet includes a piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode sheet (43) and a piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode sheet (44) stacked sequentially along the axial direction of the preload screw (46).

4. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: Insulating pads (42) are provided between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode (43) and the front cover plate (41) and between the piezoelectric ceramic positive electrode (43) and the piezoelectric ceramic negative electrode (44).

5. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: The coupling surfaces of the front cover plate (41) and the pump cover (3) are planar.

6. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: The front cover (41), pump cover (3) and pump body (1) are fixedly connected by the same set of fixing screws (5).

7. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pump body (1) has at least two threaded holes (13) evenly spaced around the pump cover (3) side. The pump cover (3) has at least two first through holes (31) around its circumference. The front cover plate (41) has a second through hole (411) corresponding to the first through hole (31) around its circumference. The fixing screw (5) passes through the second through hole (411) and the first through hole (31) in sequence and then connects with the threaded hole (13) threadedly.

8. The high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure for a gear pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator (4). The controller is used to control the start and stop, operating frequency and power of the ultrasonic ceramic vibrator (4), and has an automatic frequency tracking function.

9. The gear pump high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic ceramic transducer (4) operates at a frequency of 28kHz or 40kHz and is configured with a power of 50W-150W per liter of gear chamber (12) volume.

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