Integrated Pump Drive in Shut-Off Body for Flow Guiding Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow-guiding components are structurally complex and difficult to maintain, requiring disassembly for servicing, which limits their application in industries like chemical engineering.

Innovation Solution

A flow-guiding component with a shut-off body that integrates the pump drive unit, allowing it to be serviced without disconnecting from the fluid flow, and featuring a design where the pump unit is either partially or fully embedded within the shut-off body, enabling quick and safe sealing and maintenance without additional flow diversion measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the pump drive unit is integrated into the flow-guiding component, then maintenance becomes easier and service can be performed without disconnecting from the fluid flow, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump drive unit is merged with the flow-guiding component by integrating it into the shut-off body. The drive unit is positioned within the shut-off body such that when the shut-off body is in the closed position, the drive unit is enclosed within the sealed area formed by the shut-off body and housing, allowing maintenance without external disconnection while maintaining a compact integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If the pump drive unit is integrated into the shut-off body, then installation space is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow-guiding component is segmented into distinct functional modules: the housing with inlet/outlet, the shut-off body with integrated drive unit, and the pump unit. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured separately and then assembled, reducing the manufacturing complexity of the integrated structure while achieving compact installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the shut-off body completely blocks the area when shut off, then sealing and maintenance safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off body serves multiple functions: it acts as both the shut-off mechanism for the flow path and as the housing for the pump drive unit. When the shut-off body is in the closed position, it simultaneously seals the flow path and encloses the drive unit within a sealed area, providing both flow control and maintenance isolation without requiring separate structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 integrated design simplifies maintenance, reduces installation space, and ensures the pump drive unit can be serviced independently, enhancing the component's usability and efficiency in various applications by allowing seamless shut-off and flow reversal without efficiency losses.

Implementation Method 1

An impeller for conveying a fluid is driven by a drive unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2378127B1Flow guiding component with pump and fitting
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 KSB SE & CO KGAA
  • EP2378127B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2378127B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2378127B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The component (1) has a pump-drive unit that is provided with a drive unit and a pump unit having an impeller. The component closes a flow path in certain position of a shut-off body (10) in such a manner that an area is formed by the shut-off body and a component housing (2). The formed area is sealed opposite to an inlet side and an outlet side. The formed area is separated from the flow path. The pump drive unit is arranged within the formed area and in the shut-off body. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating flow guiding component.