Geared Fuel Pump with Optimized Gear Teeth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal gear pumps used in domestic fuel burners face challenges with high energy consumption and balancing issues, while external gear pumps have low energy efficiency and balancing problems.

Innovation Solution

A low-flow internal gear pump design with specific pinion and crown configurations, including 13 and 18 teeth respectively, and a crescent-shaped separator, optimized for reduced energy consumption and sufficient flow rate for burners up to 70 kilowatts, maintaining compact size and low energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If internal gear pumps are used, then energy consumption is reduced and volumetric efficiency is improved, but energy consumption remains high compared to the invention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the gear geometry parameters, specifically using a pinion with 13 teeth and a crown with 18 teeth, with pitch diameters of 13 mm and 18 mm respectively. The interpenetration is optimized to 5-8% of the crown's original diameter. These parameter optimizations reduce energy consumption by 30% while maintaining sufficient flow rate for fuel burners up to 70 kW.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If external gear pumps are used, then simplicity of design and low cost are achieved, but energy efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the gear parameters including tooth profiles, pitch diameters, and interpenetration depth to achieve 30% energy consumption reduction while keeping the external gear pump structure simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a separator with specific geometry (internal cylindrical surface on pinion side, external cylindrical surface on crown side) that creates tight contact zones locally, improving sealing and reducing energy loss without complicating the overall pump structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If external gear pumps are used, then low cost and easy maintenance are achieved, but balancing problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidbalancing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the separator as a counterbalancing element that compensates for the unbalanced forces generated by the external gear mechanism, reducing vibration and improving operational stability while maintaining the simple external gear structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Reliability

If internal gear pumps are used, then quiet operation and better volumetric efficiency are achieved, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolumetric efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the internal gear parameters including the 13-tooth pinion and 18-tooth crown configuration, with specific pitch diameters and interpenetration depth, achieving both high volumetric efficiency and 30% reduced energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The separator creates localized tight contact zones between gear teeth and separator surfaces, improving sealing efficiency and volumetric efficiency while minimizing energy loss through reduced leakage and friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Significantly reduces energy consumption by 30% while ensuring a sufficient flow rate for fuel burners, addressing the limitations of both internal and external gear pumps.

Implementation Method 1

a pinion (3) with external teeth capable of being set in motion by drive means (not shown), a crown (4) with internal teeth and a separator (5) holding the pinion (3) and the crown (4) spaced apart and ensuring sealing between the inlet and discharge orifices of the pump (1). The pinion (3) is arranged inside the crown (4) so as to drive the latter, when it turns in one direction, in order to create a space which sucks in the fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3228866B1Geared fuel pump
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SUNTEC INDUSTRIES FRANCE (SA)
  • EP3228866B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3228866B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3228866B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a low flow fuel pump (1) comprising a casing (2) having at least one inlet port and one outlet port, and containing an internal gear comprising a driving external pinion (3), an internally toothed ring (4) and a separator (5) keeping the pinion (3) and the ring (4) apart and ensuring sealing between said inlet and outlet ports, the separator (5) being arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis passing through the respective centers (C3, C4) of the pinion (3) and ring (4), said pump (1) being notable in that the pinion (3) and ring (4) have thirteen and eighteen teeth respectively and in that the teeth of the ring (4) have an arc-shaped profile and in that the teeth of the pinion (3) have a profile conjugate to that of the teeth of the ring (4).