Cryogenic Pump Actuating Elements Thermal Expansion Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic pumps face design and operational challenges due to temperature differences between the cold and warm ends, leading to issues with radial thermal expansion and contraction, which existing solutions do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The cryogenic pump features a drive assembly and pump assembly with actuating elements having radially offset portions to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring components remain in substantial axial alignment during operation, thereby mitigating side loads and wear on the pumping elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump is exposed to cryogenic fluid at the cold end while the drive assembly remains at ambient temperature at the warm end, then the pump can effectively deliver cryogenic fuel, but radial thermal expansion and contraction cause misalignment and side loads on pumping elements
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is designed with non-uniform radial positioning along its length, creating local quality variations. The first portion (near drive assembly) and second portion (near pump assembly) are disposed at different radial distances from the pump axis, allowing each section to accommodate the thermal expansion/contraction characteristics of its local environment while maintaining proper alignment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the actuating element by positioning its portions at different radial distances from the pump axis. This parameter modification allows the actuating element to compensate for thermal dimensional changes, ensuring that the pumping elements remain in substantial coaxial alignment with the drive assembly during cryogenic operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform radial positioning is used for actuating elements, then manufacturing is simpler, but thermal expansion and contraction cause misalignment and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element incorporates local quality variations through non-uniform radial positioning of its portions. This design accepts slightly increased manufacturing complexity in exchange for achieving the precise alignment required to compensate for thermal effects, thereby improving operational precision despite the trade-off in ease of manufacture.
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 configuration reduces wear and improves the lifespan of actuating and pumping elements by compensating for thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring efficient operation across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The first radial distance and second radial distance are selected such that the first portion and second portion of the actuating element are in substantially coaxial alignment parallel to the pump axis when the cryogenic pump is pumping cryogenic liquid
Implementation Method 2
compensating for thermal expansion and contraction
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic pump for pumping cryogenic fluid is provided. The pump includes a pump assembly adapted for exposure to cryogenic fluid that includes a plurality of pumping elements disposed about a pump axis. A drive assembly drives the pumping elements to pump cryogenic fluid. A plurality of actuating elements are arranged circumferentially about the pump axis, each actuating element operatively interconnecting the drive assembly with a respective one of the pumping elements. Each actuating element includes a first portion disposed a first radial distance from the pump axis and a second portion disposed a second radial distance from the pump axis with the first radial distance being less than the second radial distance at ambient temperature.