Internal Gear Fluid Machine Hydrostatic Bearing to Reduce Fluid Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal gear fluid machines face challenges in achieving high efficiency with effective bearing of gears in the machine housing while minimizing fluid loss.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hydrostatic bearing recess in the machine housing that partially overlaps the second gear, connected via a fluid line with a flow resistance, to support the second gear effectively while reducing fluid loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hydrostatic bearing is implemented to support the second gear effectively, then the bearing reliability is improved, but the fluid loss increases due to continuous fluid discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing reliabilityVSAvoidfluid loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing recess only partially overlaps the second gear in the axial direction, providing hydrostatic support only where needed rather than complete coverage. This partial action maintains bearing reliability while reducing the volume of fluid required and minimizing fluid discharge loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrostatic bearing function is localized to specific regions through the bearing recess that partially overlaps the gear. The fluid pressure is applied locally at the bearing interface rather than uniformly across the entire gear, achieving effective support with reduced fluid consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the bearing recess completely overlaps the second gear in the axial direction, then the bearing support is improved, but the fluid discharge increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear supportVSAvoidfluid discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing recess is designed to only partially overlap the second gear in the axial direction, providing just sufficient hydrostatic support for reliable gear operation. This partial coverage avoids the excessive fluid discharge that would result from complete overlap while maintaining adequate bearing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of substance

If a flow resistance is added to the fluid line, then the fluid loss is reduced, but the bearing pressure stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid lossVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flow resistance in the fluid line is carefully optimized to balance two competing requirements: it is sufficient to reduce fluid loss to acceptable levels, yet not so large as to compromise the stability of bearing pressure. This parameter optimization achieves both conservation of fluid and maintenance of bearing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures efficient and loss-free support of the second gear, minimizing fluid discharge and maintaining high operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one bearing recess which is designed such that it only partially overlaps the second gear in the axial direction and is fluidly connected to a fluid connection of the internal gear fluid machine via a fluid line having a flow resistance, wherein the bearing recess is designed to form a hydrostatic bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic bearing: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4185773B1Internal gear fluid machine
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ECKERLE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP4185773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4185773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4185773B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an internal gear fluid machine (1), comprising a first gear wheel (3), which has an outer toothing (7) and is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (5), and a second gear wheel which has an inner toothing (8) meshing in some regions with the outer toothing (7) in an engagement region (9) and is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (6) which is different from the first axis of rotation (5), wherein a filler piece (11) is arranged between the first gear wheel (3) and the second gear wheel (4) away from the engagement region (9), wherein said filler piece bears against the outer toothing (7) and the inner toothing (8) in order to divide a fluid space (10) located between the first gear wheel (3) and the second gear wheel (4) into a first fluid chamber (12) and a second fluid chamber (13), and wherein housing walls of a machine housing (2) of the internal gear fluid machine (1) are arranged in the axial direction with respect to the first axis of rotation (5) on either side of the first gear wheel (3) and the second gear wheel (4). The second gear wheel (4) is surrounded in the circumferential direction by a bearing recess (20) formed in the machine housing (2) for forming a hydrostatic bearing, wherein said bearing recess at least partially extends over the second gear wheel (4) in the axial direction and is connected in a flow-conducting manner to a fluid connection (21, 22) of the internal gear machine (1) via a fluid line having a flow resistance (23).