Adjustable Axial Pump Impeller for Tip Clearance Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-axial pumps face performance issues due to manufacturing tolerances affecting tip clearance, which can lead to blade contact with chamber walls, compromising efficiency and reliability, while precise manufacturing techniques are costly and may still yield insufficient results.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable impeller mechanism allows for post-manufacture adjustment of tip clearance by translating the impeller axially, enabling optimal performance without risking blade strikes, despite manufacturing variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise manufacturing techniques are used to control tip clearance, then pump performance and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed with adjustable positioning along the drive shaft, allowing the tip clearance to be dynamically adjusted after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the clearance can be optimized post-manufacturing by moving the impeller to different positions on the shaft.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard manufacturing tolerances are used for impeller dimensions, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but tip clearance varies导致 blade contact with chamber walls
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable impeller position along the drive shaft allows compensation for manufacturing variations. After assembly, the impeller can be positioned at different locations on the shaft to achieve optimal tip clearance, ensuring reliable operation even when manufacturing tolerances are not extremely tight.
3Device complexity
If impeller position is fixed during manufacturing, then assembly is simplified, but performance optimization is limited due to manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed to be adjustable along the drive shaft after assembly, providing performance optimization capability without complicating the assembly process. The adjustment mechanism is simple enough to maintain ease of assembly while enabling post-assembly performance tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller position parameter can be changed after assembly by moving it to different locations on the drive shaft. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of tip clearance and pump performance without requiring complex assembly procedures or specialized tools.
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
The adjustable impeller mechanism enhances pump performance by allowing precise tip clearance adjustment, improving efficiency and reliability while maintaining cost-effectiveness by accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment mechanism configured to cause translation of the impeller along a rotation axis of the impeller
Data Source
AI summary
An example axial pump for delivering liquid coolant to cool an electronic device comprises a conduit defining a flow path from an inlet of the conduit to an outlet of the conduit and an impeller in the conduit. The impeller is rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the flow path. The pump also has a motor stator configured to drive rotation of the impeller body about the axis of rotation. In addition, the pump comprises an adjustment mechanism coupling the impeller to the conduit. The adjustment mechanism is actuatable to cause translation of the impeller relative to the conduit. This may allow for adjustment of a clearance between a blade tip of a blade of the impeller and a wall of the conduit.