Liquid-Lubricated Gear Train Vacuum Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-speed spur gears experience significant energy losses due to ventilation, making them inefficient for conveying gaseous media without special sealing measures, and existing vacuum-based systems are costly and prone to failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gear transmission system with an envelope wall enclosing the gears, featuring non-contact seals and a differential pressure mechanism between the tooth inlet and outlet, which eliminates the need for external vacuum generation and reduces construction complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional high-speed spur gears are used for transmitting high power, then power transmission capability is improved, but ventilation losses increase significantly due to large bearing clearances and long tolerance chains
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful gaseous medium (air) is extracted from the gear enclosure by introducing a vacuum, removing the source of ventilation losses. This allows conventional gears with large clearances to operate efficiently without the harmful effect of air circulation through the gear mesh
Solution Approach 2:
The gear enclosure is filled with a vacuum (inert environment) instead of atmospheric air, eliminating the medium that causes ventilation losses. This creates an environment where the large bearing clearances and tolerance chains do not result in harmful air circulation
2Loss of energy
If a vacuum is applied to the gear housing to reduce ventilation losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to additional pumps, piping, and safety measures
Solution Approach 1:
The gear pump itself generates the vacuum within the enclosure, making the system self-sufficient. The pump serves dual functions: conveying the liquid medium and creating the vacuum environment, eliminating the need for separate vacuum generation equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The gear pump is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a liquid conveying device and a vacuum generator for the enclosure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating dedicated vacuum pumps and associated piping
3Power
If tight-fitting casing walls are used in gear pumps to create differential pressure, then liquid conveying capability is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for high-speed spur gears with large bearing clearances
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing approach is localized to specific critical areas (gear teeth engagement zones) rather than requiring tight-fitting walls throughout the entire enclosure. This allows large bearing clearances in non-critical areas while maintaining differential pressure where needed for liquid conveying
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 minimizes ventilation losses, enhances transmission efficiency, reduces power loss, and eliminates the need for additional safety measures or external expenditures, while allowing for effective oil circulation and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
it has become possible to do without external vacuum pumps by using the gear pump itself to create a vacuum within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
the gears are provided with oil injection
Implementation Method 3
In order to primarily cool the tooth contacts
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid-lubricated gear train having the following characteristics: the gear train has at least two gears, the teeth of which mesh with each other; the gear train has an engagement area, which has an inlet and an outlet; the gear train has a casing wall, which encloses at least one of two gears that work with each other and partially or completely blocks the enclosed interior off from the environment; the casing wall has an outlet in the area of the inlet, wherein said outlet establishes a conducting connection between the interior and the atmosphere; and the distance between the dynamic enveloping circle of the gears and the casing wall is less than the tooth height.