Cammed Coupling Pin for Pump Liner Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal pumps face issues with securing the inner liner to the pump casing, leading to potential failure of bolts or screws, which can result in inadequate attachment and misalignment of components, affecting pump performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The use of a coupling pin with a cammed surface, such as a spiral or helical shape, to securely locate and align the inner pump liner relative to the outer casing, ensuring proper axial displacement and locking mechanism, eliminating the need for traditional bolts and reducing wear on the liner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolts or screws are used to secure the inner liner to the pump casing, then the liner can be attached to the casing, but the bolts or screws may fail to adequately secure the liner, leading to inadequate attachment and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional bolt or screw fastening system with a cammed surface mechanism. The coupling pin features a cammed surface that, when rotated, converts rotational motion into axial displacement to securely attach the inner liner to the pump casing. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple bolts while providing more reliable attachment through the camming action that forces the liner against the casing with controlled pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the attachment mechanism from a static bolted connection to a dynamic camming action. The cammed surface on the coupling pin transforms rotational parameter (turning the pin) into axial displacement (moving the liner into position). This parameter transformation provides progressive attachment where the liner is gradually forced into secure contact with the casing, ensuring proper alignment and attachment reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple bolts are used to attach the inner liner, then the liner can be secured to the casing, but misalignment of components can occur affecting pump performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-bolt alignment system with a single coupling pin featuring a cammed surface. This single mechanism provides both attachment and alignment functions simultaneously. As the coupling pin is rotated, the cammed surface progressively forces the inner liner into precise alignment with the pump casing, eliminating the misalignment issues that can occur with multiple bolts that may not be evenly tightened.
Solution Approach 2:
The cammed surface mechanism on the coupling pin provides self-aligning functionality. As the pin is rotated during assembly, the camming action automatically forces the inner liner into the correct position relative to the casing, without requiring separate alignment steps or multiple fasteners. The mechanism itself performs the alignment function as part of the attachment process, improving both precision and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If traditional bolting methods are used to secure the inner liner, then the liner can be attached to the casing, but wear on the liner can increase due to inadequate attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inadequate bolted attachment system with a cammed surface mechanism that provides superior attachment security. The camming action on the coupling pin forces the inner liner firmly against the pump casing with controlled, progressive pressure. This secure attachment prevents relative movement between the liner and casing during pump operation, eliminating the wear that occurs when the liner is inadequately secured by traditional bolting methods.
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 solution enhances the concentricity and alignment of pump components, improving performance, reducing wear, and simplifying maintenance by providing a secure and reliable attachment method that maintains the liner's thickness and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the head including a cammed surface thereon which is adapted to co-operate with a follower on the liner, and a locating section on a remote or terminal end of the head which is adapted to be positioned against a seat in the outer casing when fitted, the arrangement being such that rotation of the coupling pin causes the follower to track along the cammed surface so as to cause relative movement between the outer casing and the inner pump liner
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling pin for use in a pump housing, the pump housing including an outer casing and an inner pump liner, the coupling pin being suitable for locating the liner and casing relative to one another, the coupling pin including a shank and a head at one end of the shank. The head includes a cammed surface thereon which is adapted to co-operate with a follower on the liner, and a locating section on a remote or terminal end of the head which is adapted to be positioned against a seat in the outer casing when fitted. The arrangement is such that rotation of the coupling pin causes the follower to track along the cammed surface so as to cause relative movement between the outer casing and the inner pump liner.