Ejector-Type Vacuum Pump With Replaceable Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum generators require complex assembly and disassembly of individual venturi cells, leading to increased manufacturing and maintenance time, and are prone to leaks due to the number of seals required.
Innovation Solution
The design allows for each ejector cell in the vacuum pump to be separately accessible and replaceable from the outside, minimizing exposure to the interior and reducing the risk of fouling or contamination. Additionally, a passive ejector-cell replacement insert can be used to modulate suction power by replacing individual ejector cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If individual venturi cells are made separately accessible and replaceable from the outside, then maintenance time and modulation ease are improved, but the number of seals and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is divided into multiple independent ejector cells (first ejector cell, second ejector cell, etc.), each with its own ejector cell seat and separate opening. This segmentation allows individual cells to be accessed, removed, and replaced independently from the outside without disassembling the entire pump housing, thereby reducing maintenance time and enabling easy modulation of suction power.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ejector cell is designed to be extractable from the pump body through separate openings in the housing. The ejector cells can be completely removed from their seats and replaced with passive replacement inserts from the outside, eliminating the need to open the pump housing for maintenance or modulation operations.
2Device complexity
If a cluster of venturi cells is inserted as one piece, then the number of seals is reduced, but modulation of suction power requires removal of the entire cluster
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single cluster containing multiple venturi cells, the invention employs multiple separate ejector cells that are independently insertable and removable. Each cell can be individually modulated by replacement without affecting the other cells, allowing precise control of suction power while maintaining a low seal count through the use of passive replacement inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic modulation of suction power by allowing individual ejector cells to be replaced with passive inserts from the outside through separate openings. This dynamic adjustment capability is achieved without requiring removal of the entire cell assembly, providing flexible control while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the pump housing is opened for cell replacement, then access to interior components is improved, but the risk of fouling or contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector cells are designed to be completely extractable from the pump body through separate openings in the housing. This extraction capability allows maintenance and replacement operations to be performed from the outside without opening the pump housing, thereby eliminating the risk of contamination to the interior vacuum chamber while providing full access to the ejector cells.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive ejector-cell replacement inserts serve as intermediaries that can be inserted from the outside to replace active ejector cells. These inserts allow the system to be modulated and maintained without opening the housing, acting as a mediator that provides access functionality while maintaining the sealed integrity of the pump interior.
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 solution facilitates easier maintenance and modulation of suction power without opening the vacuum pump, reducing energy consumption and costs, and minimizing the risk of leaks and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum generators are known in the art. The vacuum generators referred to herein are fed with a flow of pressurized air which produces a reduced pressure in the vacuum generator. Such vacuum generator comprises one or more ejector cells. An ejector cell may also be referred to as a venturi cell.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A-A
Figure 3~4B-B
AI summary
An ejector-type vacuum pump is described, said ejector-type vacuum pump being configured to accommodate two or more ejector cells, each of which two or more ejector cells is separately accessible and replaceable from the outside of the ejector-type vacuum pump. An ejector-cell can be replaced with a passive ejector-cell replacement insert, thereby allowing for facilitated modulation of the suction power. Also, modulation of the suction power can easily be accomplished by replacing an ejector cell with another ejector cell having different nozzle characteristics.