Grease Pump Support Unit for Complete Container Emptying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubrication systems for viscous fluids like grease face challenges with limited grease capacity and air trapping, leading to irregular supply and inefficiencies, especially in offshore wind turbine applications where servicing is costly and logistically complex.

Innovation Solution

A supply system comprising a pump unit and a support unit that moves together, with the support unit being securely attached to the pump unit and adaptable to the container's inner surface, ensuring complete evacuation of the container with minimal grease residue and preventing air entry during pumping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If grease is pumped through a long suction tube from the bottom of the container, then the pump can extract grease from deep within the container, but grease is trapped inside the suction tube and wasted when the container is replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease extraction completenessVSAvoidgrease waste in suction tube

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the pump unit from the container entirely after use, rather than leaving it attached. The support unit with detachable fastening means allows the pump to be removed completely, preventing grease from being trapped in the suction tube. This resolves the contradiction by enabling complete grease extraction while eliminating the source of grease waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the suction tube extend to the bottom of the container (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by positioning the suction tube to draw grease from the top surface of the grease column. This inversion eliminates the long tube problem while still achieving complete extraction through the moving support unit mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If the pump unit is stationary relative to the container, then the structure is simple, but the container cannot be emptied completely and air may be trapped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer emptying completenessVSAvoidpump-support unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support unit is designed to move dynamically relative to the container, following the receding grease surface as pumping progresses. This movement is achieved through guideways that constrain the support unit to vertical motion. The dynamic adjustment allows complete container emptying while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support unit acts as an intermediary between the stationary container and the pump unit. It provides the necessary movement and positioning functions, allowing the pump to maintain contact with the grease surface throughout the pumping process. This intermediary structure enables complete emptying without requiring the entire pump assembly to be complex or movable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a follower plate is used to indicate grease level, then the grease amount can be detected, but the plate does not exercise significant pressure on the fluid surface and grease supply becomes irregular

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease supply consistencyVSAvoidpressure on fluid surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical follower plate system with a pump unit that actively maintains contact with the grease surface through controlled movement. The pump unit's weight and positioning mechanism provide reliable force contact, ensuring consistent grease supply detection and measurement without the irregularities of a light follower plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system reduces the need for replaceable parts, minimizes grease waste, and ensures a consistent lubricant supply by allowing for nearly complete emptying of the container, thus reducing servicing costs and logistical challenges, especially in remote locations like offshore wind turbines.

Implementation Method 1

a pump unit (2) comprising a pump (21) for pumping the fluid out of the container (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

the support unit (3) is movably mounted relative to the container (1) such that the support unit and the pump unit (3, 2) move relative to the container during operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12123549B2Supply system comprising container for fluid and pump

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 DANHYDRA AS

AI summary

A supply system has a pump unit and a support unit adapted to fit to the inner volume of a container holding a viscous fluid such as grease. The supply system pumps viscous fluid from a container (1) having an inner opening or volume, the supply system including a pump unit (2) having a pump (21) for pumping the fluid out of the container (1), and the supply system further includes a support unit (3) with a contact surface (7) facing the fluid inside the volume of the container (1) during operation wherein the support unit (3) is secured to the pump unit (2) such that the support unit and the pump unit (3, 2) move together, and the support unit (3) is movably mounted relative to the container (1) such that the support unit and the pump unit (3, 2) move relative to the container during operation.