Disc Pump Impeller Wing Vanes for Slurry Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disc pumps face inefficiencies due to vortices, dead zones, and reduced propelling surface area, particularly when handling liquids with slurries, solids, high viscosity, and gases, leading to increased maintenance and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates wing vanes on the discs that extend beyond the outer diameter with tapered thickness and jagged edges, minimizing eddy currents and increasing the propelling surface area, while the winglets enhance energy transfer and attachment between discs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional vanes are used in disc pumps, then centrifugal force is generated, but cavitation, clogging, binding, and high wear occur when pumping slurries, high viscosity fluids, and multiphase fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump reliabilityVSAvoidcavitation, clogging, binding, wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes traditional vanes from the disc pump impeller, extracting the harmful centrifugal force generation mechanism that causes cavitation, clogging, and wear. The pump relies solely on the boundary layer effect between rotating discs to move fluid, eliminating the problematic vanes while maintaining pumping capability for difficult fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If no vanes are used in disc pumps, then wear is reduced, but efficiency decreases due to vortices, dead zones, and reduced propelling surface area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidpumping efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates curved or scalloped edges on the discs instead of straight edges. This curvature modifies the fluid flow patterns, reducing vortex formation and dead zones while maintaining the wear-free advantage of vaneless operation. The curved geometry optimizes boundary layer interaction to improve propelling surface area effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes disc spacing, rotational speed, and disc geometry parameters to maximize pumping efficiency without vanes. By carefully controlling these parameters, the boundary layer effect is enhanced to compensate for the absence of vanes, maintaining efficient fluid propulsion while avoiding cavitation and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If disc spacing is reduced to increase propelling surface area, then efficiency improves, but risk of binding and cavitation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidbinding, cavitation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved or scalloped disc edges create favorable flow patterns that allow reduced disc spacing without increasing cavitation risk. The curvature guides fluid smoothly through the narrowed gap, preventing binding while maintaining enhanced boundary layer interaction and propelling surface area for improved efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances efficiency, reduces maintenance, and allows for effective pumping of shear-sensitive and multiphase fluids, minimizing carbon footprint and preventing emulsification or degradation.

Implementation Method 1

Disc pumps utilize the fluid properties of adhesion and viscosity. These fluid properties combine to create an interaction between the fluid and the rotating flat discs that allow the transfer of mechanical energy from the rotating discs to the fluid.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity: Viscometer

Implementation Method 3

The plurality of wing vanes have a portion extending outwardly beyond the outer diameter of at least one of the drive disc and the driven disc. Each of the plurality of wing vanes has a thickness that tapers so as to narrow across a width thereof... minimizing eddy currents and increasing the propelling surface area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentUS11680578B1Impeller for disc pump

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 MXQ LLC

AI summary

An impeller for a disc pump has a drive disc with a connector for joining to a shaft of the disc pump, a driven disc affixed to the drive disc so as to define a space therebetween, and a plurality of wing vanes formed in the face of at least one of the drive disc and the driven disc. The drive disc has a face facing a face of the driven disc. The drive disc extends in generally parallel planar relationship to the driven disc. The plurality of wing vanes radiate across the face toward an outer diameter of one of the drive disc and the driven disc. Each of the plurality of wing vanes has a portion extending outwardly beyond the outer diameter of the drive disc and the driven disc.