Gear Pump Brake Ring for Flow Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gear pumps experience irregularities in delivery flow due to pressure fluctuations between the inlet and outlet, leading to unevenness in the delivery flow during one revolution of the pump shaft, caused by torsional backlash in the drive train and additional pressure forces on the gear teeth.
Innovation Solution
A brake ring is arranged on the circumference of the pump shaft, generating a braking torque that intercepts load reversals and prevents them from propagating through the drive train, ensuring only the meshing of gear teeth affects the flow, with the option of forming the braking surface on either the shaft or housing, and using a carrier ring with spring-loaded brake segments for even interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pump shaft is directly coupled to the drive shaft without braking mechanism, then the drive train is simple and efficient, but pressure fluctuations cause load reversals that propagate through the drive train and create uneven delivery flow
Solution Approach 1:
A brake ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump shaft and the drive train. The brake ring includes a braking surface that contacts the pump shaft and generates braking torque to counteract load reversals caused by pressure fluctuations, thereby preventing these reversals from propagating through the drive train while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The braking mechanism applies preliminary counteracting force to prevent load reversals before they can propagate through the drive train. By continuously applying braking torque that opposes the direction of potential load reversal, the system prevents the harmful effect rather than reacting to it after it occurs
2Reliability
If sealing lips are used to generate braking torque, then braking function is achieved, but the seals wear out quickly and lead to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The brake ring is designed with a braking surface that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than attempting to make the entire sealing system permanent. The brake ring itself is a separate, replaceable component that can be quickly swapped when wear occurs, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
The braking function is separated from the sealing function by introducing a dedicated brake ring with a braking surface that is distinct from the sealing lips. This segmentation allows the braking surface to be optimized for friction and wear resistance independently from the sealing elements, extending the overall system life
3Force
If a brake ring with continuous braking surface is used, then high braking torque is generated, but stick-slip effects occur between the brake ring and pump shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous braking surface is segmented into multiple discrete brake segments arranged around the brake ring. This segmentation distributes the contact pressure across multiple points, reducing the likelihood of stick-slip effects while maintaining sufficient total braking torque through the combined effect of multiple segments
Solution Approach 2:
The brake segments are made slightly movable relative to the brake ring body, allowing them to dynamically adjust their contact pressure with the pump shaft. This dynamic capability enables the segments to adapt to varying load conditions and prevent stick-slip effects by continuously adjusting the friction engagement
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 maintains a uniform delivery flow independent of pressure conditions by suppressing undesirable load changes and flow rate fluctuations, allowing for high braking torque generation without seal wear and enabling separate optimization of sealing and braking functions.
Implementation Method 1
a brake ring (11) is arranged on the circumference of the pump shaft (5), which acts with at least one braking surface (11.1) on a friction surface (5.3) of the pump shaft (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A gear pump is described with a plurality of gearwheels which engage into one another in order to convey a medium and are held rotatably in a pump housing. One of the gearwheels is driven by a pump shaft which can be coupled to a drive via a coupling end. In order, in particular at greatly fluctuating operating pressures, to obtain uniform conveying streams even in the case of changing load states within one revolution of the pump shaft, a brake ring is arranged according to the invention on the circumference of the pump shaft, which brake ring acts by way of at least one braking surface on a frictional surface of the pump shaft or on a frictional surface of the pump housing.