Axial Pump Sealing Unit Recess for Fluid Buffer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axial pumps require cumbersome and time-consuming procedures for changing and controlling the fluid buffer, as they need to be manually tilted and handled to access and replace the oil buffer, which is inefficient and labor-intensive, especially for larger machines.
Innovation Solution
Designing an axial pump with an accessible recess in the outer housing part for external access to the inner housing part's opening, equipped with a valve for controlled conduit connection, allowing for fluid-tight operation and simplified buffer management, including a check valve for automatic closure and a fluid level control device for monitoring and adjusting the buffer level without moving the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is designed with a sealed inner housing part and a large fluid buffer chamber, then the sealing and cooling function is improved, but the maintenance complexity and time required for buffer exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing part is segmented into a sealed buffer chamber and an accessible maintenance region. The chamber includes a removable closure element that separates the sealed operational space from the external environment, allowing maintenance operations without compromising the sealing integrity during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
A closure element acts as an intermediary between the sealed buffer chamber and the external environment. This closure element can be removed to provide access to the chamber for buffer exchange, while maintaining the seal during operation, thus enabling maintenance without full disassembly
2Reliability
If the pump is designed with a large fluid buffer chamber for effective sealing and cooling, then the sealing performance is improved, but the weight and handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into modular components including the inner housing part containing the buffer chamber, outer housing part, and removable closure element. This segmentation allows the heavy sealed chamber to be integrated into the pump structure while maintaining overall modularity for easier handling during maintenance
3Ease of operation
If the opening for buffer access is made accessible from outside through a recess, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is positioned at the outer periphery of the inner housing part, creating a recess that provides radial access to the buffer chamber. This dimensional arrangement allows maintenance personnel to access the chamber from the outside without requiring axial disassembly or moving the pump to horizontal position
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 rapid and efficient buffer exchange, fluid level control, and drainage/filling processes in a standing position, significantly reducing the time and effort required for maintenance, even for large machines with substantial buffer volumes, while ensuring fluid integrity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a valve with which a conduit leading through the opening can be shut off is provided in or on the inner housing part
Implementation Method 2
a check valve for automatic closure
Data Source
AI summary
An axial pump operated in a standing manner has an inner housing part (2), in which a shaft (10) carrying a propeller wheel (4) is mounted. An outer housing part (1) is provided, wherein a flow path (3) for the fluid delivered by the propeller wheel (4) is formed between the inner and outer housing part. The inner housing part (2) is designed for receiving a fluid buffer for at least one seal (15) and includes an opening (19, 20) for the supply and drainage of the buffer. A recess (24, 25) is provided in the outer housing part (1), via which recess the opening (19, 20) is accessible from the outside. A valve (23) is provided in or on the inner housing part (2), with which valve the conduit leading through the opening (19) can be blocked.