Grease Pump Support Unit for Near-Complete Container Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

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

Innovation Solution

A supply system comprising a pump unit and a support unit that moves together, ensuring complete evacuation of the container with minimal grease residue, using a positive displacement pump and a support unit that adapts to the container's shape for efficient grease extraction and minimizing air entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a long suction tube is used to extract grease from the bottom of the container, then the grease capacity can be increased, but grease is trapped inside the tube due to air entry and high viscosity, causing waste and incomplete evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease capacityVSAvoidgrease waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the suction tube from the system entirely. Instead of using a tube to reach the bottom of the container, the pump unit directly contacts the grease surface through a support unit that seals against the container wall, allowing extraction without trapped grease in tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of sucking grease up from the bottom through a long tube, the system inverts the approach by having the pump unit move down to the grease surface and extract grease directly from the top, preventing air entry and grease trapping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the pump operates with air mixed in the grease, then the pumping process can continue, but pump performance deteriorates and grease supply becomes irregular

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidgrease supply consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support unit uses a flexible sealing element that conforms to the container wall shape, creating an effective seal that prevents air from entering the grease stream, ensuring consistent pumping without air mixing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element prevents air entry before it can contaminate the grease supply, proactively eliminating the source of pumping irregularities rather than dealing with them after they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If a fixed pump system is used, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different container shapes and sizes, limiting versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidcontainer compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support unit is designed to move vertically along the container wall and adapt its position, allowing the same pump structure to work with containers of different heights and shapes while maintaining the sealing connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for nearly complete evacuation of the container, reducing servicing costs and ensuring a consistent lubricant supply by preventing air entry and adapting to the container's shape for efficient grease extraction.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive displacement pumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

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)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4083426A1Supply system comprising container for fluid and pump

Publication Date: 2022.11.02 DANHYDRA AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a supply system comprising 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 system may be applied in a centralized lubrication system where grease or oil is held and forced into a system of moving parts such as a wind turbine. In particular the invention relates to a supply system for pumping viscous fluid from a container (1) having an inner opening or volume, the supply system comprises a pump unit (2) comprising a pump (21) for pumping the fluid out of the container (1), and the supply system further comprises a support unit (3) comprising - an outlet (4) for fluid from the container (1), - a first contact surface (6) facing the pump unit (2) and being in contact with the pump unit (2) during operation, - fastening means (8) configured to fasten the support unit (3) to the pump unit (2) during operation, - a second contact surface (7) facing, and optionally being in contact with the fluid inside the inner opening or 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.