Internal Gear Pump Pinion Drive Compact Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal gear pumps used in aircraft jet engines face challenges in increasing flow rate without increasing footprint, weight, and complexity, particularly when using larger dimensions or electric motors, which often require bulky components and additional parts like gearboxes.
Innovation Solution
An internal gear pump design incorporating a pinion within the pump enclosure that drives the gear in rotation, combined with a deflector and flange configuration that allows for compactness, reduced drive torque, and efficient fluid flow management, including a secondary cavity for independent fluid circulation, which reduces weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If larger pump dimensions are used to increase flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the pump footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested gear configuration where a pinion gear is positioned inside the main gear assembly. The pinion (with 5-12 teeth) is located within the cavity formed by the ring gear and gear wheel, creating a compact nested structure. This allows the pump to achieve higher flow rates through increased displacement volume while maintaining a reduced footprint, as the nested arrangement maximizes the use of available internal space without increasing external dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If an electric motor is used to drive the pump, then the pump can operate independently, but the footprint increases due to the motor size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive mechanism directly into the pump body by integrating the pinion gear assembly within the pump enclosure. The pinion is supported by bearings that are part of the pump structure, and the entire gear assembly is contained within the pump housing. This integration eliminates the need for an external electric motor and gearbox, achieving independent operation through the pump's own mechanical components while maintaining a compact footprint
3Force
If a gearbox is added between the electric motor and pump to reduce torque requirements, then the torque requirement is reduced, but the complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic gear ratio system where the pinion (5-12 teeth) meshes with the gear wheel (16-30 teeth) to provide variable mechanical advantage. The reduction ratio between the pinion and gear wheel can be adjusted by selecting different tooth counts, allowing the system to optimize torque multiplication without requiring a separate gearbox. This dynamic configuration reduces drive torque requirements while maintaining simplicity, as the gear ratio is inherently built into the pump's core mechanism rather than being added as a separate component
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 design achieves a compact and lightweight pump assembly with reduced drive torque, allowing for efficient fluid circulation while maintaining torque delivery, and offers multiple flow rate options through the use of manifolds and valves, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a pinion disposed in the cavity and driving the gear in rotation
Implementation Method 2
The gear wheel drives the ring gear in rotation and a fluid flows through the internal space between the gear wheel and the ring gear
Data Source
AI summary
An internal gear pump comprising: a ring with internal teeth delimiting a cavity and a gear disposed in the cavity, the gear comprising external teeth cooperating with the internal teeth to drive the ring in rotation, remarkable in that it comprises a pinion disposed in the cavity and driving the gear in rotation. The pinion cooperates with the external toothing of the gear. In an alternative embodiment, the gear comprises an internal toothing which cooperates with the pinion.