Flangeless Intermediate Pipe for Vertical Centrifugal Pump Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical centrifugal pump units face challenges in adapting to different design lengths due to the complexity and cost of manufacturing separate intermediate pipes with flanges, limiting flexibility and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
The intermediate pipe is designed without flanges, using screw connections distributed uniformly around its circumference to attach to the motor support bracket and pump housing, allowing for adjustable length and simplified manufacturing, and can be adapted using spacers and loose flanges for various designs and depths of immersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate casting molds are used for each intermediate pipe length, then different design lengths can be produced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate pipe is divided into a modular system consisting of a base pipe without flanges and separate flange components that can be attached as needed. This segmentation allows the same base pipe to be adapted to different lengths and configurations by simply changing the flange attachments, eliminating the need for separate casting molds for each design variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate pipe is designed with universal mounting features including multiple holes arranged in two circles at different diameters, allowing the same pipe component to serve multiple functions and accommodate different design lengths and configurations. This universal design enables a single pipe embodiment to be adapted to various pump unit sizes without requiring separate specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If flanges are formed in one piece with the pipe body by casting, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptation to different lengths requires separate molds increasing inventory needs
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is separated from the pipe body into distinct components. The pipe is provided without flanges and the flanges are attached separately using screw connections. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for each component while enabling flexible assembly configurations for different design lengths without requiring separate casting molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the flange and pipe body is made adjustable and reconfigurable through screw connections rather than fixed casting. This dynamic connection allows the same pipe component to be adapted to different configurations and lengths by repositioning or replacing flanges, providing flexibility without sacrificing manufacturing ease.
3Strength
If welding is used to connect flanges to the pipe, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical screw connection system for attaching flanges to the pipe. This substitution maintains adequate connection strength through properly designed threaded fasteners while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and complexity compared to welding operations, making the system more economically viable.
4Ease of manufacture
If intermediate pipes are designed with fixed lengths, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different pump unit sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate pipe is designed with universal features including multiple holes arranged in two circles at different diameters, allowing the same pipe component to accommodate different pump unit sizes and configurations. This universal design maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing extensive adaptability through reconfigurable mounting options.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe design incorporates variable parameters such as multiple hole positions and different diameter circles, allowing the same basic pipe component to be adapted to different lengths and configurations by changing the mounting parameters rather than manufacturing completely different pipe variants.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical centrifugal pump unit, in particular for wet installation in a closed container, including an intermediate pipe (17) which surrounds the shaft (3) of the pump unit and is arranged between the housing (11) of the centrifugal pump (12) and a bracket (5) which carries the electric motor (1) of the unit. The pump unit preferably is fastened in particular to a horizontal flat part (19) arranged beneath the flange (6) of the bracket (5), especially the cover of a container. Production is simplified and it is possible to readily adapt the intermediate pipe to different sizes by designing the intermediate pipe (17) without a flange or other enlargements on its end faces, and pressing the end faces against the bracket (5) and the pump housing (11) using screw connections (18, 20) distributed uniformly around the circumference. The bracket (5) and the flat part (19) arranged beneath the bracket are joined together by the screw connections (18, 20).