Bi-directional Centripetal Reciprocating Pump Eliminates Connecting Rods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating pumps experience inefficiency, heat, and wear due to the sideways motion of connecting rods, which increases as pressure ratings rise, leading to friction and stress on the pumping parts.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional centripetally-powered reciprocating pump design eliminates connecting rods by using a gear train and eccentrics to drive pistons, providing a direct, collinear motion that reduces friction and stress, and absorbs pulsation forces, while the eccentrics offer inertial mass to smooth motor load without a flywheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If connecting rods are used to drive pistons in reciprocating pumps, then rotational motion can be converted to linear motion, but sideways force is applied to the piston against the cylinder wall causing friction, heat, and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rod from the system entirely, extracting the source of sideways force. Instead of using a connecting rod to convert rotational motion to linear piston motion, the invention directly couples the eccentric rotating mechanism to the piston rod, eliminating the intermediate component that causes harmful lateral forces against the cylinder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by having the piston rod rotate with the eccentric mechanism rather than having the connecting rod push the piston linearly. The piston rod is directly attached to the eccentric, so the piston follows a circular path that is converted to reciprocating motion through the cylinder orientation, reversing the conventional motion transmission sequence.
2Power
If connecting rods are used to drive pistons, then power transmission is achieved, but pulsating stress is transmitted back to the gear train and power source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rod that transmits pulsating stresses back through the system. By eliminating this intermediate component and directly coupling the eccentric mechanism to the piston rod, the design prevents the amplification and transmission of pulsating forces to the gear train and power source, reducing stress on these components.
3Productivity
If conventional reciprocating pump design is used, then fluid pumping is achieved, but efficiency is reduced due to heat loss from friction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the connecting rod that causes friction and heat loss. By eliminating this component and using direct coupling between the eccentric mechanism and piston rod, the design minimizes frictional contact and energy dissipation as heat, thereby improving overall pumping efficiency.
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 design enhances efficiency, reduces heat and wear, and simplifies construction by minimizing friction and stress on the power train, allowing for higher pressure ratings with reduced mechanical stress and improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
the outside power source is applied to a gear train that powers right angle gearboxes. These gearboxes are paired to receive opposite rotations
Implementation Method 2
There is an additional pair of gearboxes and eccentrics rotating in the opposite direction to the first pair. As the gearboxes rotate the eccentrics, the two pairs of gearboxes oscillate toward and away from each other, thus providing force from opposite directions
Implementation Method 3
The reciprocating pump is a specific type of positive displacement pump in which a constant and fixed volume of fluid is drawn into a cylinder by a retreating piston and then discharged under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating liquid or gas pump is driven by bi-directional force. A prime mover causes eccentric weights to rotate, which in turn cause pistons to be driven in linear paths under bi-directional force. This bi-directional force then drives opposing sets of pistons to pump a fluid. The pressurized fluid can then be used for, e.g., driving a hydraulic motor.