Pivoting Impeller Puller Arms for Shaft-Safe Hub Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impeller removal tools risk damaging water pump shafts and impellers during extraction, lack versatility, and are inefficient in confined spaces, making maintenance procedures labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An impeller puller with adjustable leverage arms and teeth that pierce into the flexible material of the impeller hub, providing mechanical advantage for safe and efficient removal, suitable for various impeller designs and confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional metal pullers are used to remove impellers, then removal force is sufficient, but damage to pump shaft and impeller occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The puller changes the material parameter from rigid metal to flexible rubber, allowing the tool to conform to the impeller hub shape and distribute removal force evenly, preventing localized damage while maintaining sufficient total removal force
Solution Approach 2:
The puller uses a composite structure combining rigid metal body for structural support with flexible rubber arms for force application, merging the advantages of both materials to achieve effective removal without damage
2Strength
If rigid metal pullers are used, then structural strength is sufficient, but versatility with different impeller designs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The puller transforms the static rigid metal structure into a dynamic flexible rubber arm system that can adapt its shape to different impeller hub configurations, enabling versatility while the metal body maintains structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the puller have different properties: the metal body provides overall structural strength while the rubber arms provide local flexibility and adaptability to various impeller designs
3Productivity
If conventional pullers are used in confined engine spaces, then removal capability is achieved, but accessibility is limited and procedures become labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The puller replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a simple snap-fit design that automatically adapts to the impeller hub, reducing the number of manual adjustment steps and making the tool easier to operate in confined spaces
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
Minimizes damage to pump components while enhancing efficiency and ease of use in maintenance, allowing for safe and quick impeller replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The puller includes a plurality of teeth configured to pierce into the flexible material of the hub
Implementation Method 2
An impeller puller with adjustable leverage arms and teeth that pierce into the flexible material of the impeller hub, providing mechanical advantage for safe and efficient removal
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller removal tool assembly is provided. The assembly can include a central body, a first puller arm, and a second puller arm, each arm pivotably pinned to the central body and mirrored across a central axis from each other. The puller arms can have angled ramp surfaces and a plurality of teeth projecting toward the central axis. The assembly further includes an arm rotator bolt threadably engaged with the central body and having a bearing configured to contact the angled ramp surfaces, where rotation of the arm rotator bolt causes the puller arms to rotate between a first position disengaged from a hub of an impeller, and a second position engaged with the hub of the impeller. A central rod can extend through the arm rotator bolt and translate along the axis with respect to the central body and the arm rotator bolt to interface with a pump shaft.