Dual Vane Pump Pre-Pressurization Passages for Air Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual vane pumps experience issues with rapid pressure changes and air entrapment, which can be detrimental to fluids like oil, particularly in applications where air inclusion is detrimental.

Innovation Solution

A dual vane pump system with pre-pressurization passages that align chambers out of phase, utilizing discharge pressure to increase pressure and reduce air volume in aligned chambers before discharge, preventing backflow and optimizing fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-pressurization passages are added to align chambers out of phase, then air entrapment and pressure fluctuations are minimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid handling stabilityVSAvoidpump structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-pressurization passages introduce discharge pressure into pump chambers before the chambers communicate with the full discharge opening. This preliminary pressurization action reduces the magnitude of pressure change and air volume reduction that occurs when chambers connect to discharge, thereby minimizing air entrapment and pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pump system is divided into two out-of-phase pump assemblies, each with its own set of pump chambers. By staggering the operation of chambers between the two assemblies, the system ensures that not all chambers experience discharge pressure changes simultaneously, smoothing overall pressure fluctuations and reducing air entrapment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If discharge pressure is used to increase pressure in aligned chambers, then air volume is reduced effectively, but pressure fluctuations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair volumeVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-pressurization passages introduce discharge pressure into pump chambers before the chambers communicate with the full discharge opening. This preliminary pressurization action reduces the magnitude of pressure change and air volume reduction that occurs when chambers connect to discharge, thereby minimizing air entrapment and pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The two pump assemblies operate in an out-of-phase manner, creating periodic but staggered pressurization cycles. This periodic operation ensures that pressure changes are distributed over time rather than occurring simultaneously in all chambers, reducing overall pressure fluctuations while maintaining effective air volume reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively minimizes air entrapment and pressure fluctuations, enhancing fluid handling efficiency and stability, particularly beneficial for lubrication and scavenge pumps.

Implementation Method 1

A pre-pressurization passage has an inlet at discharge pressure and extends to an outlet which empties into a pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3988791B1Dual vane pump with pre-pressurization passages
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3988791B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3988791B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B
  • EP3988791B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A dual vane pump system includes first and second vane pumps (90, 91) having first and second rotors (110, 112) with a plurality of vanes (22) moving radially inwardly and outwardly of the first and second rotors, and into contact with an inner surface of the first and second outer liners. A first pre-pressurization passage (105) connects a first pump pressurization inlet in the first pump that is at discharge pressure to a second pump pressurization outlet in the second pump which is upstream of the second discharge opening. There is a coupling connecting the first and second rotors for rotation together and the pre-pressurization passage extends through the bearing.