High-Pressure Pump Segmentation for Shaft Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure pumps face limitations in generating extremely high pressure differentials, as the pressure can cause axial displacement of the rotary shafts used to drive the rotors, especially when multiple positive displacement pumps are stacked to increase pressure.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an elongated casing with axially fixed partitions that separate pressure differential devices, allowing each rotary shaft to bear only its corresponding pressure, and using a servomotor controlled bi-directional high-pressure pump to manage fluid flow and prevent shaft displacement, with rotational fixation through spline ends or couplings and axial fixation using appendages and thrust bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If multiple positive displacement pumps are stacked to increase pressure differential, then the overall pressure differential capability is improved, but the rotary shafts experience axial displacement due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into multiple independent stages, each with its own rotary shaft and pressure differential device. The partitions separate these stages axially, allowing each shaft to handle only its local pressure load rather than the cumulative pressure of all stages. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the pressure burden across multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
Thrust bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the rotary shafts and the partitions. These thrust bearings specifically counteract axial forces generated by pressure differentials, preventing shaft displacement while allowing the high pressure differential to be maintained across each pump stage. The thrust bearing acts as a mediator that protects the shaft from the harmful axial loads.
2Stress or pressure
If the casing is designed to withstand extremely high pressures, then the pressure differential capability is improved, but the rotary shafts still cannot withstand the axial displacement forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure containment function (handled by the robust casing) from the shaft support function (handled by thrust bearings). Each shaft only needs to withstand its local stage pressure, while the casing withstands the cumulative high pressure. This functional segmentation allows the casing to be optimized for pressure containment without requiring the shafts to be equally robust against axial loads.
Solution Approach 2:
Thrust bearings serve as intermediaries that transfer axial loads from the rotary shafts to the casing structure. This allows the casing to bear the brunt of high pressure loads while the shafts remain protected from excessive axial forces that would cause displacement. The thrust bearing mediates between the shaft and casing, distributing loads appropriately.
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 configuration enables the achievement of extremely high pressure differentials without shaft displacement, as the casing can withstand higher pressures than the rotary shafts, allowing for efficient and precise control of pressure using servomotors and transducers.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable exterior surface that may remain retracted during insertion into the hollow interior of the elongated casing and then expand to fix the at least one partition to the casing
Implementation Method 2
A thrust bearing may also be disposed between the appendage and the partition
Implementation Method 3
One method may comprise a male spline end on the first rotary shaft mating with a female spline end on the second rotary shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A high-pressure pump comprising an elongated casing and a hollow interior formed along a central axis thereof. At least one partition may be axially fixed within the elongated casing such that it divides the hollow interior. First and second pressure differential devices may be disposed on opposite sides of the at least one partition and each have a rotary shaft extending there through. A first rotary shaft extending through the first pressure differential device may be axially fixed by the at least one partition and rotationally fixed to a second rotary shaft extending through the second pressure differential device. The high-pressure pump may be driven by a servomotor and used in a high-pressure press.