Multistage Balancing Drum Assembly for Pump Axial Force Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-stage centrifugal liquid pumps face inefficiencies in compensating axial forces due to residual forces that exceed design expectations, leading to increased power consumption, leakage, and reduced efficiency, despite the use of balancing drums and thrust bearings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage centrifugal liquid pump assembly featuring a multistage balancing drum with circumferential axial spaces and ring elements that create pressure chambers and flow paths to generate equal counter forces, minimizing the drum's size and reducing power consumption and leakage by using a slide bearing for radial support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centrifugal pump operates at high speeds to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but axial forces increase causing harmful effects on bearings and shaft alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs counterbalancing weights arranged in a specific configuration to offset the axial forces generated by the centrifugal pump impeller. These weights create opposing forces that cancel out the harmful axial thrust, protecting bearings and maintaining shaft alignment while allowing the pump to operate at high speeds for improved productivity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If balancing drums are used to compensate axial forces, then axial force compensation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the axial force compensation function directly into the existing rotor assembly by incorporating balancing weights and spring elements within the rotor structure itself. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate balancing drums and complex external compensation mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective axial force compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically adjusts the position of the balancing weights in response to varying axial forces, enabling the system to self-regulate and compensate for axial thrust without requiring external control systems or additional actuators. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall device structure
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 assembly effectively compensates axial forces, reducing the pump's power consumption and leakage while maintaining efficient operation, even without separate lubrication, by utilizing a multistage balancing drum with slide bearings for radial support.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (42) arranged to be engaged by the rotor (20) in use and acting to compensate for axial forces
Implementation Method 2
A multi-stage centrifugal pump comprises an inlet (1), an outlet (2), a rotor (20) having a rotation axis (L) extending in an axial direction of the rotor (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Invention relates to a multi-stage centrifugal pump comprising an assembly (10) for compensating axial forces in a multi-stage centrifugal liquid pump (100) having an inlet (102) and an outlet (104), comprising a balancing drum (16) arranged to the shaft (14) inside the housing (12), which the balancing drum (16) is a multistage balancing drum, which comprises at least two drum sections (16', 16''), a first pressure chamber (22) between a first side wall of the circumferential axial space (16.3) and a first side wall of the ring element, a second pressure chamber (24) between a second side wall of the circumferential axial space (16.3) and a second side wall of the ring element, a first flow communication path extending from outlet (104) of the pump (100) to the second pressure chamber (24), a second liquid communication path extending from inlet (102) of the pump (100) to the first pressure chamber (22), first annular flow path between the first pressure chamber (22) and the second pressure chamber (24) via the bottom of the circumferential axial space (16.3) and inner surface of the ring element (20), and second annular flow path between the first pressure chamber (22) and the second pressure chamber (24) via the outer surface of the drum section (16',16'',16''') and the inner surface of the housing (12).