Cryogenic Pump Balance Drum for Axial Thrust Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic pumps experience significant axial thrust forces during startup, leading to potential damage and failure of components due to the transfer of these forces to the drive shaft and bearings, causing debris shedding and catastrophic chain reactions.
Innovation Solution
A balance drum with serrated axial and radial surfaces is integrated into the cryogenic pump, allowing axial movement relative to the rotor and housing, and utilizing fluid compression to cushion and balance these forces, combined with customizable design features to manage pressure differentials and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump operates under cryogenic conditions with high-speed rotation, then productivity and pumping efficiency are improved, but significant axial thrust forces are generated that can damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The balance drum is designed to counterbalance the axial thrust forces generated during pump operation. By positioning the balance drum on the drive shaft and utilizing pressure differentials across its surfaces, the system creates opposing forces that neutralize the harmful axial thrust, protecting bearings and other components from damage while allowing the pump to operate at high speeds efficiently
2Device complexity
If the balance drum is positioned close to adjacent surfaces to minimize space, then device complexity is reduced, but axial movement is restricted preventing effective force balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The axial clearance is pre-configured during pump assembly to provide the necessary movement space for the balance drum. This preliminary positioning ensures that when axial thrust forces occur, the balance drum has adequate space to move axially and generate the required counterbalancing forces, while maintaining compact overall pump dimensions through optimized clearance design
3Strength
If rigid coupling is used between drive shaft components, then structural strength is improved, but impact forces during startup are transmitted causing component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The balance drum system provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-positioned with axial clearance and equipped with balanced surfaces that will absorb and distribute impact forces during startup. When the pump accelerates from stopped condition, the balance drum moves axially to cushion the inertial forces before they can be transmitted to other components, preventing catastrophic chain reactions while maintaining structural integrity
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 balance drum effectively reduces mechanical impact between components by absorbing axial forces, preventing damage and ensuring stable operation under cryogenic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing fluid compression to cushion and balance these forces
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic pump may include a housing and a drive shaft positioned in the housing. The cryogenic pump may include at least one pump stage positioned in the housing, the at least one pump stage comprising an impeller coupled to the drive shaft. The cryogenic pump may include a balance drum coupled to the drive shaft and positioned in the housing. The cryogenic pump may additionally include a motor comprising a rotor slidably coupled to the drive shaft, the drive shaft configured to rotate with the rotor and move in an axial direction relative to the rotor and the housing during operation of the cryogenic pump.