Additive Manufacturing Ejector Pump Monolithic Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ejector pump manufacturing methods, such as machining and welding, are expensive and time-consuming, especially when design changes are required, due to the need for costly tooling and temporary support structures that complicate post-processing.
Innovation Solution
The development of an additively manufactured ejector pump using techniques like direct metal laser sintering, which eliminates the need for temporary support structures within fluid flow areas, allowing for rapid design changes and reduced post-processing requirements by creating a unitary, monolithic body with integral structures like nozzles, gussets, and a flange without additional support during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional machining and welding methods are used to manufacture ejector pumps, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity can be achieved, but production time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations (cutting, drilling, welding) into a single additive manufacturing process. The ejector pump components are fabricated as integrated parts without requiring separate machining and welding steps, thereby maintaining structural integrity while dramatically reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical machining and welding systems with an additive manufacturing system. Instead of removing material through machining and joining parts through welding, the system builds components layer-by-layer, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing assembly and welding operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If design changes are implemented in conventional ejector pumps, then product adaptability improves, but tooling costs and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables design changes by modifying digital model parameters rather than physical tooling. The additive manufacturing process allows direct fabrication from updated CAD models, eliminating the need for new tooling when design modifications are required, thus improving adaptability without increasing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If temporary support structures are used in additive manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but fluid flow obstruction and post-processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates temporary support structures from the additive manufacturing process by optimizing build orientations and designing self-supporting geometries. This removal of support structures prevents fluid flow obstruction and eliminates post-processing requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through careful process design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster production and easier design modifications, minimizing post-processing needs and avoiding unnecessary structures that impede fluid flow, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process for ejector pumps.
Implementation Method 1
additive manufacturing of the ejector pump body in a build chamber of the additive manufacturing system
Implementation Method 2
The high pressure source is directed through an ejector having nozzles which convert pressure energy to kinetic energy, and this high velocity flow entrains fluid from the low pressure source.
Implementation Method 3
this high velocity flow entrains fluid from the low pressure source. The two streams experience pressure equalization and mixing downstream of the ejector leading to pressure recovery.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of making an additively manufactured ejector pump (20) includes creating a computer file defining the ejector pump in layers. The ejector pump (20) includes a duct (46) extending along a centerline from an upstream end to a downstream end, a nozzle extending inward from the duct (46) including a flowpath, an annulus connected to the duct including a cavity. The method also includes building the ejector pump (20) using an additive manufacturing process that builds the ejector on a layer-by-layer basis from the upstream end to the downstream end.