Axial Flow Pump Motor Integration for Drinking Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial flow pumps require significant structural modifications and are not environmentally friendly due to potential contamination from lubricants when integrated into pipe or tunnel systems.
Innovation Solution
An axial flow pump design where the motor and runner are integrated within the liquid-carrying area, eliminating the need for a sealed pump shaft and allowing lubrication by the pumped liquid, reducing maintenance and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the motor is arranged outside the water-carrying area, then the pump shaft requires sealed leadthrough and angular gear arrangements, but this increases device complexity and requires major structural changes to existing pipe or tunnel systems
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is merged with the runner assembly and positioned inside the water-carrying area, eliminating the need for external drive mechanisms. This integration removes the requirement for sealed pump shaft leadthroughs and angular gear arrangements, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling direct integration into existing pipe or tunnel systems.
2Reliability
If traditional lubrication systems are used with external motor, then lubricants may contaminate pumped liquid, but this causes environmental pollution and water contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The pumped liquid itself serves as the lubricant for the motor and runner assembly. Since the motor is immersed in the water-carrying area, the liquid being pumped provides the necessary lubrication without requiring separate lubricants, thereby eliminating lubricant contamination and environmental pollution while maintaining reliable operation.
3Ease of operation
If sealed leadthrough of pump shaft is used, then drive can be external, but this increases maintenance requirements and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The pump shaft and its sealed leadthrough are completely removed from the design. The motor is directly coupled to the runner inside the water-carrying area, eliminating the mechanical connection that would require sealed leadthroughs. This extraction of the problematic component simplifies the overall structure and reduces maintenance requirements.
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
Enables seamless integration into existing systems without major structural changes, minimizing maintenance and environmental pollution, while maintaining pump efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
Both bearings are lubricated by the pumped liquid, which is made possible by the fact that the motor housing is not sealed against the liquid that flows around the motor housing
Data Source
AI summary
An axial flow pump for pumping a liquid has a motor. The motor of the pump is arranged such that the liquid to be pumped flows around the motor. No elaborate rotary leadthroughs of the pump shaft through the pipe system are needed. Furthermore, the bearings of the motor are lubricated by the liquid to be pumped, thereby avoiding risky oil lubrication. As a result, the axial flow pump is suitable for use in drinking water pipelines.