Centrifugal Pump Variable Blade-Free Space for Clogging Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal pumps face challenges in efficiently conveying media with solid admixtures without clogging, while maintaining high efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as existing solutions often require complex and expensive adjustments to the impeller position or vane-free space.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal pump design featuring a variable blade-free space arrangement on the suction side, adjustable through an elastic or movable mechanism, allowing for stepless adjustment of the impeller's clearance to accommodate different media and prevent blockages, without requiring impeller position changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade-free space is increased to prevent clogging, then the pump can handle larger solid particles, but the pump efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclogging preventionVSAvoidpump efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction-side housing part is made movable relative to the impeller, allowing the blade-free space to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the system to adapt the gap width between the suction-side housing wall and the impeller to optimize both clogging prevention and pump efficiency based on operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the blade-free space by making the suction-side housing part movable. This allows continuous adjustment of the gap width, enabling optimization of the balance between handling solid particles and maintaining pump efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the impeller chamber is reduced to increase efficiency, then the pump efficiency improves, but the risk of blockages increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump efficiencyVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable suction-side housing part enables dynamic adjustment of the blade-free space, allowing the system to optimize the balance between efficiency and clogging resistance. When efficiency is prioritized, the gap is reduced; when clogging prevention is needed, the gap is increased.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows continuous adjustment of the geometric parameters of the impeller chamber by moving the suction-side housing part, enabling optimization of the balance between chamber size for efficiency and sufficient space for clogging prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the impeller position is adjusted to vary the blade-free space, then the pump can adapt to different media, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the entire impeller assembly, the invention extracts and isolates only the suction-side housing part as the movable element. This simplifies the adjustment mechanism by moving only the necessary component to vary the blade-free space, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump housing is segmented into a stationary part and a movable suction-side housing part. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the suction-side section to vary the blade-free space without affecting the impeller position or requiring complex overall impeller displacement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a fixed blade-free space is used, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the pump cannot efficiently handle varying solid content in different media

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmedia adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces minimal dynamic complexity by making only the suction-side housing part movable, allowing the blade-free space to be adjusted for different media while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables adjustable geometric parameters of the blade-free space through the movable suction-side housing part, allowing optimization for different solid content conditions while maintaining a simple and cost-effective manufacturing approach compared to moving the entire impeller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures reliable conveyance of media with solid admixtures, maintaining high efficiency and preventing clogging by adaptively adjusting the blade-free space based on the medium's characteristics, with the option to automatically detect and respond to blockages.

Implementation Method 1

The arrangement (13) comprises an elastic wall (28) for adjusting the space (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The hollow body (27) has a connection (29) through which a filling fluid can be supplied or discharged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3559478B1Vortex pump
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 KSB SE & CO KGAA
  • EP3559478B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump (1) for delivering a medium comprising solid admixtures. A blade-free space (9) is arranged in front of an impeller (1). The centrifugal pump has a suction-sided arrangement (12). The space (9) can be increased and/or reduced by means of the arrangement (12).