Helical Pump Shaft for Liquid-Cooled Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric generators and aircraft engines face complex and costly cooling and bearing systems that require improvements for efficiency and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid coolant system integrated with a shaft featuring a helical pump mechanism, where the shaft's first part rotates relative to a second part with a helical feature, creating a hydraulically connected pump that circulates liquid for cooling and lubrication, reducing the need for complex bearing assemblies and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling and bearing systems are used in electric generators, then reliable cooling and lubrication can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive to manufacture, assemble, and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling pump and bearing assembly into a single integrated unit. The pump housing serves dual purposes as both the pump enclosure and the bearing support structure, eliminating the need for separate cooling pumps and bearing housings. This merging of functions directly reduces system complexity while maintaining reliable cooling and lubrication through the integrated design
2Reliability
If traditional separate cooling and bearing systems are used, then adequate cooling and lubrication can be provided, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design merges the pump housing with the bearing support structure into a single manufactured component or pre-assembled unit. This reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured separately and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing and assembly costs while maintaining adequate cooling and lubrication performance through the combined functionality
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is achieved, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pump and bearing assembly allows maintenance personnel to service both cooling and lubrication systems through a single access point and unified structure. The common housing and interconnected fluid pathways enable streamlined maintenance procedures, reducing maintenance complexity and cost while preserving effective cooling functionality
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient cooling and lubrication system that reduces maintenance complexity by utilizing a helical pump mechanism within the shaft to circulate liquid coolant, effectively addressing the inefficiencies of prior systems.
Implementation Method 1
a helical feature disposed between the first part and the second part to define a helical pump between the first part and the second part
Data Source
AI summary
A machine includes a liquid system and a shaft. The shaft is rotatable about a rotation axis and includes a first part and a second part engaged coaxially with the first part. The first part is rotatable relative to the second part about the rotation axis to define a liquid pump between the first part and the second part. The pump is hydraulically connected to the liquid system. A method of cooling the machine is also provided.