Gear Pump Asymmetric Teeth Unequal Tooth Count Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gear pumps face challenges when pumping fuels due to high operating pressure and temperature, which exceed the limits of current materials, and require high tooth count for reduced wear and pressure ripple, but this increases complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A gear pump design with a drive gear having more teeth than the driven gear, featuring asymmetric teeth with increased radius of curvature and a 30° operating pressure angle, and a corresponding reduction in the non-contact face pressure angle to enhance wear resistance and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high tooth count is used on both gears, then gear wear is reduced and pressure ripple is minimized, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by having unequal tooth counts on the drive gear (first gear) and driven gear (second gear). Specifically, the drive gear has a higher tooth count than the driven gear, which reduces the sliding velocity and wear on the driven gear teeth while maintaining overall system reliability. This asymmetric configuration allows optimization of wear resistance without requiring both gears to have high tooth counts, thereby reducing complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a high tooth count is used on both gears, then pressure ripple in supply and discharge lines is reduced, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tooth count configuration reduces pressure ripple by optimizing the engagement pattern between gears. The drive gear's higher tooth count ensures smoother power transmission and more consistent fluid displacement, reducing pressure fluctuations without requiring both gears to be heavy and complex.
3Reliability
If asymmetric teeth with higher radius of curvature are used, then wear resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing asymmetric tooth profiles only on the driven gear (second gear) while keeping the drive gear teeth simpler. The asymmetric profile with higher radius of curvature is applied specifically to the contact face of the driven gear teeth where wear occurs, while the non-contact face uses a standard pressure angle. This localized application of complex geometry minimizes manufacturing complexity while achieving the wear resistance benefits.
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 reduces gear tooth wear, increases efficiency, and minimizes weight and size while maintaining flow rate and reducing flow pulsation, by utilizing asymmetric teeth with a higher radius of curvature and optimized pressure angles.
Implementation Method 1
a component is attached to said second gear to create power as said second gear is driven; and said teeth on said gears each have asymmetric faces relative to a centerline defined by a radius extending radially outwardly from a center of said second gear to an apex of each said tooth on said second gear
Data Source
AI summary
A gear pump comprises a first gear (26) to be connected to a source of drive (21), and having a first plurality of gear teeth (30). A second gear (28) has a second plurality of teeth (32) engaged with the first gear teeth. The first gear teeth contact the second gear's teeth on a contact face (42), causing the second gear to rotate. The first plurality of teeth is greater than the second plurality of teeth.