Double-Suction Multi-Disc Pump for Laminar Complex Fluid Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disc pumps are inefficient in handling fluids with high viscosity, entrained air or gas, and solid materials, leading to issues like cavitation, clogging, and high wear, and they lack a laminar flow mechanism for improved efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A double-suction split case multi-disc pump design with a housing, multiple discs, and a shaft driven by a motor, featuring winglets and angled ribs to enhance fluid flow and efficiency, allowing for a more laminar flow and improved handling of complex fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional centrifugal pumps with vanes are used, then they can pump fluids, but they experience high wear, cavitation, and clogging when handling complex fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidfluid handling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional vanes from the pump impeller, extracting the problematic element that causes wear and cavitation. Instead of using vanes to move fluid, the design uses a disc configuration where fluid enters axially and is moved radially outward through the rotation of the disc, eliminating the impingement and friction issues associated with vane-based centrifugal pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional centrifugal pump design by using a disc configuration where fluid enters axially at the center and is moved radially outward, rather than the conventional radial inlet with tangential outlet arrangement. This inversion allows for more effective handling of complex fluids while reducing wear and cavitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If disc pumps are used to handle high viscosity fluids, then efficiency increases, but they struggle with fluids containing entrained air or gas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity handling efficiencyVSAvoidcapability to handle multiphase fluids

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal pump design that can effectively handle multiple types of complex fluids including high viscosity fluids, fluids with entrained air or gas, and other multiphase fluids. The disc configuration with axial inlet and radial outlet provides a versatile mechanism that adapts to different fluid characteristics without requiring separate specialized pumps for each fluid type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple discs are stacked to increase pumping capacity, then fluid volume handling increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volume capacityVSAvoidnumber of disc components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple disc components into a single integrated disc assembly that functions as one cohesive pumping unit. The discs are arranged in a stacked configuration where each disc contributes to the overall pumping capacity, but they are designed to operate as a unified system rather than separate independent pumps, thereby increasing fluid volume handling without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances efficiency, increases fluid volume handling capacity, minimizes carbon footprint, and provides even loading, while promoting a more compact and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

Disc pumps, as these machines are sometimes called, 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

Boundary layer or bladeless turbines, pumps, and other related turbo-machinery have been known for one hundred years or more. The Tesla patent disclosed a multiple-disc pump that utilized rotating flat discs with no blades, vanes, or propellers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoundary layer: Boundary Layer

Implementation Method 4

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentUS12540622B1Double-suction split case multi-disc pump

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 MXQ LLC

AI summary

An impeller pump has a housing having a suction chamber and a discharge chamber therein, a plurality of discs joined in spaced relationship and positioned within the housing, and a shaft extending through the housing and having an end adapted to be driven by motor so as to be rotated by the motor. The housing has a suction inlet that opens to the suction chamber and a discharge outlet that opens to the discharge chamber. The suction inlet has a pair of flow paths to the suction chamber. The plurality of discs includes a drive disc and a plurality of driven discs. The shaft is affixed to the drive disc such that the plurality of discs rotate within the housing.