Pump device for transporting a fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump device for transporting a fluid, in particular a liquid, comprising: a spindle which is movable in a first direction and in a second direction, the first direction being opposite to the second direction; a nut which at least partially surrounds the spindle and cooperates with the spindle; a drive which is designed to move the nut such that the spindle moves in the first direction or in the second direction; and a piston which is coupled to the spindle such that the piston moves together with the spindle in the first direction or in the second direction and, when moving in the first direction, transports fluid towards the first direction.

Description

[0001] Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE

[0002] Pump device for transporting a fluid

[0003] The present invention relates to a pumping device for transporting a fluid. The present invention also relates to a method for transporting a fluid.

[0004] Technical background

[0005] Application systems are used in numerous industrial applications, for example in the automotive, construction, energy, and semiconductor industries, as well as in industrial assembly. Application systems serve to apply media, especially viscous and / or liquid media, to or into components. Examples of liquid media include adhesives, foams (especially polyurethane foams), battery foams, and insulating foams, as well as paints and cleaning fluids. In the automotive sector, application systems are used, for example, to apply battery foams and / or adhesives to the batteries of electric vehicles, and / or to apply adhesives to body parts and / or vehicle windows, such as windshields.

[0006] An application system typically comprises a dosing device, also called a dispenser, and an application device, also called an applicator. The dosing device and the application device can be designed together as a single device or together form a system. The dosing device is used for dosing, for example, by controlling the flow of the medium. The dosing device receives the medium from a source, such as a storage container, particularly a drum. The application device is used to apply the medium to or into a component.

[0007] A pump is used to circulate the fluid. The pump is often pneumatically driven, which is not always desirable for various reasons.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device with a compact design. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is easy to operate. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pumping device whose drive can be used for different applications.

[0010] At least one of the problems, or further problems, that arise for a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure are solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0011] A pumping device for transporting a fluid, in particular a liquid, may include a spindle. The spindle may be movable in a first direction and in a second direction. The first direction may be opposite to the second direction. The pumping device may include a nut. The nut may at least partially surround the spindle. The nut may interact with the spindle. The pumping device may include a drive. The drive may be configured to move the nut such that the spindle moves in the first direction or in the second direction. The pumping device may include a piston. The piston may be coupled to the spindle such that the piston moves with the spindle in the first direction or in the second direction. When moving in the first direction, the piston may transport fluid in the direction of the first direction.

[0012] The pump device can be used in a process for transporting a fluid.

[0013] A method for transporting a fluid may comprise the following steps: Moving, by means of a drive, a nut that at least partially surrounds and interacts with a spindle, thereby moving the spindle in a first direction or in a second direction. Moving, by means of the spindle, a piston, in particular a piston of a pumping device, in the first direction or the second direction. Transporting the fluid by moving the piston in the first direction.

[0014] Because the nut is moved instead of the spindle, the pump device has a simple and compact design. At the same time, the mass to be moved is reduced when the pump device is in operation. Furthermore, the spindle can be coupled with various pistons, making the pump device suitable for different transport tasks.

[0015] In general, the pumping device can be or include a ladle pump or a piston pump.

[0016] The piston can be coupled to a ladle or a plate. In particular, the ladle or plate is connected to the piston so that a movement of the piston causes a (coordinate) movement of the plate or the piston.

[0017] The piston can also be referred to as the pump rod.

[0018] The ladle or plate can immerse itself in the fluid in a reservoir when the piston is moved in the second direction, and transport fluid in the direction of the first direction when the piston is moved in the first direction.

[0019] The storage container can be a barrel. The container can have a volume of at least 10 L, preferably at least 20 L, more preferably at least 50 L, and more preferably at least 100 L. One end of the container can be open. The container can be substantially cylindrical.

[0020] The pumping device can be connected to a follower plate. The follower plate can be placed inside the reservoir. The follower plate can contact a surface of the fluid in the reservoir.

[0021] The pumping device can be part of a follower plate pump. Likewise, the pumping device can be a follower plate pump.

[0022] The fluid can be a liquid. The fluid can have a viscosity of at least 10 cP (at 20 °C), preferably at least 100 cP, preferably at least 250 cP, preferably at least 500 cP, preferably at least 750 cP, preferably at least 1000 cP. The fluid can be granular. The fluid can contain a solid. The solid can be dissolved or undissolved. The fluid can be a suspension.

[0023] The spindle can only be moved in the first direction and in the second direction.

[0024] The nut can be fixed in place (relative to one or more stationary components of the pumping device). "Fixed in place" can mean that movement in at least one direction and in the other direction is prevented. Rotation of the nut is possible.

[0025] The drive can include a motor, in particular an electric motor. The drive can be configured to rotate the nut. The nut can be rotatably mounted in the pump device. In general, the movement of the nut can be a rotation of the nut, in particular about an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

[0026] By moving the nut and its fixed mounting, the spindle can be moved in the first or second direction.

[0027] The piston can be coupled or connected to the spindle directly or indirectly. Preferably, the piston contacts the spindle directly. Alternatively, a coupling element can be provided between the spindle and the piston.

[0028] The piston can perform the same movement as the spindle. In particular, the piston can move in the same direction as the spindle and / or the piston can move over the same distance as the spindle.

[0029] The pumping device may include a bearing. The nut may be mounted in the bearing. In particular, the bearing includes one or more ball bearings.

[0030] The pumping device may include a housing. The housing may enclose at least a section of the bearing, nut, and / or spindle. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE

[0031] The pumping device may include a clamping nut. The clamping nut can be used to secure components of the pumping device, such as the spindle, the nut itself, the bearing, and / or the housing. The clamping nut may be detachably arranged within the pumping device.

[0032] The spindle and the nut can each have a thread. The threads of the spindle and the nut can interact so that the movement of the nut causes the movement of the spindle.

[0033] The threads of the spindle and the nut can interlock. The spindle can be screwed into the nut. Through the interaction of the spindle and the nut, rotation of the nut can cause movement of the spindle in either the first or second direction. The axis of rotation of the nut can be parallel to the first and / or second direction.

[0034] The spindle can have a thread, in particular an external thread, at least in sections. The thread can extend over at least 50%, preferably at least 70% or at least 90% of the total length of the spindle.

[0035] The thread of the spindle can extend over a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 40%, or a maximum of 30% of the spindle's total length. The spindle can have a threaded section and a section with a smooth surface. Preferably, the spindle includes a thread roller. The thread roller can be arranged at one end of the spindle.

[0036] The nut may have an internal thread.

[0037] The piston can be configured to transport the fluid based on its movement in either the first or second direction. For example, a plate or ladle connected to the piston can be immersed in the fluid (in the reservoir) when the piston moves in the second direction, and transport fluid, particularly in the first direction, when the piston moves in the first direction. The fluid can be transported (in portions) within the plate or ladle. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE

[0038] The spindle can be coupled to a toothed belt pulley. The toothed belt pulley can be coupled to the drive via a toothed belt.

[0039] Brief description of the characters

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to a figure.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a pump device 10.

[0042] Detailed description

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a pumping device 10. The pumping device 10 can comprise a spindle 1 and a nut 2. The spindle 1 can interact with the nut 2. In particular, a section of the nut 2 contacts a section of the spindle 1. The spindle 1 and the nut 2 can be connected to each other in such a way that a force can be transmitted between the spindle 1 and the nut 2.

[0044] The spindle 1 can be moved in a first direction +y and (with a time delay) in a second direction -y. The nut 2 cannot be moved in either the first or second direction +y, -y. The nut 2 can be mounted so that it can rotate. Preferably, the nut 2 is mounted so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis or the longitudinal axis of the spindle 1.

[0045] The pump device 10 can include a drive 9. The drive 9 can be configured to rotate the nut 2. By rotating the nut 2, the spindle 1 can be moved in the first direction +y or in the second direction -y.

[0046] The spindle 1 can be connected to a piston 5. The piston 5 can move in the same direction as the spindle 1 in the first direction +y or in the second direction -y. In particular, the distance traveled by the piston 5 is equal to the distance traveled by the spindle 1. The piston 5 can be connected to a plate or a ladle (not shown in Fig. 1). Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE. When the piston 5 moves in the second direction -y, the plate or ladle can immerse itself in the fluid (in the reservoir). When the piston 5 moves in the first direction +y, the plate or ladle can transport fluid, in particular in the first direction +y. The fluid can be transported (in portions) in the plate or ladle.

[0047] The pump device 10 can include a toothed belt pulley 3. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be coupled to the nut 2. In particular, the toothed belt pulley 3 is coupled to the nut 2 by frictional, positive, or material engagement. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be in direct contact with the nut 2. When the toothed belt pulley 3 rotates, it can cause the nut 2 to rotate. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be rotated by the drive 9.

[0048] The pump device 10 can include a toothed belt 4. The toothed belt 4 can couple the drive 9 to the nut 2, in particular to the toothed belt pulley 3. A force can be transmitted from the drive 9 to the nut 2 via the toothed belt 4.

[0049] The pumping device 10 can include a bearing 7. The nut 2 can be supported by the bearing 7. In particular, the nut 2 is rotatably supported in the pumping device 10 by the bearing 7. The bearing 7 can include or consist of one, and in particular two, ball bearings.

[0050] The pump device 10 can comprise a housing 6. The housing 6 can (at least partially) surround or enclose some of the components of the pump device 10. Preferably, the bearing 7 is completely surrounded by the housing 6.

[0051] The pumping device 10 can include a clamping nut 8. The clamping nut 8 can be located below (in the second direction -y) the bearing 7. The clamping nut 8 can fix or hold components of the pumping device 10 in position. The clamping nut 8 can be detachably screwed to the pumping device 10.

[0052] Due to the special design of the pump device, it is shorter and smaller. The moving masses are lower. A compressed air supply to drive the pump is not necessary. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE

[0053] Due to its design, the spindle can be combined with different pistons. This allows for different pump device sizes with an identical drive unit (spindle, nut, drive, etc.).

Claims

Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1018DE Claims 1. Pumping device (10) for transporting a fluid, in particular a liquid, the pumping device (10) comprising: a spindle (1) movable in a first direction (+y) and in a second direction (-y), the first direction (+y) being opposite to the second direction (-y); a nut (2) which at least partially surrounds the spindle (1) and interacts with the spindle (1); a drive (9) configured to move the nut (2) such that the spindle (1) moves in the first direction (+y) or in the second direction (-y); and a piston (5) coupled to the spindle (1) such that the piston (5) moves with the spindle (1) in the first direction (+y) or in the second direction (-y) and, when moving in the first direction (+y), transports fluid in the direction of the first direction (+y).

2. Pumping device according to claim 1, wherein the spindle (1) and the nut (2) each have a thread, and the threads of the spindle (1) and the nut (2) interact such that the movement of the nut (2) causes the movement of the spindle (1).

3. Pumping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston (5) is coupled to a ladle or a plate, in particular wherein the ladle or plate immerses in the fluid in a reservoir when the piston (5) is moved in the second direction (-y), and transports fluid in the direction of the first direction (+y) when the piston (5) is moved in the first direction (+y), preferably wherein the pumping device is or comprises a ladle pump or a piston pump.

4. Pumping device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spindle (1) is coupled to a toothed belt pulley (3) and the toothed belt pulley (3) is coupled to the drive (9) by means of a toothed belt (4).

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