Linear Cryogenic Fuel Pump Sealed Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-pressure pumps for cryogenic fluids like LNG, LH2, and LAR are prone to leakage and maintenance issues, leading to reduced service life and increased operational costs, with traditional reciprocating pumps inducing pulsating flow and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A modular, linearly actuated high-pressure pump system that eliminates dynamic seals and integrates manifolds within a sealed casing, providing a smooth, pulse-free output and reducing the complexity and size of traditional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional reciprocating pumps are used for high-pressure cryogenic fluid pumping, then pumping function is achieved, but leakage and maintenance issues occur reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes dynamic seals from the pump system, which are the primary source of leakage in traditional reciprocating pumps. By eliminating these sealing components that require maintenance and cause leaks, the system achieves improved reliability and extended service life without compromising pumping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates manifolds directly into the pump housing, creating a unified sealed structure. This merging of components eliminates additional connection points and potential leakage paths, while the integrated design maintains all necessary fluid distribution functions.
2Device complexity
If traditional pump systems are used, then pumping capability is provided, but system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines manifolds and pump housing into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate manifold components and their associated connections. This merging reduces system complexity and component count while preserving complete pumping capability through the integrated fluid distribution system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment, integrates manifold functions for fluid distribution, and eliminates the need for separate sealing systems. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full pumping performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A system for pumping high-pressure cryogenic fuel comprises: a plurality of linear pumps (22) each including an upper power end (30) and a lower fluid end (32), the power end having a linear-actuated drive system terminating in a drive shaft (120) and being independently controllable by an electronic controller; the fluid end having a piston (94) coupled to the drive shaft so as to linearly reciprocate within a cylinder; the piston having a head (92) with a plurality of piston rings (98); an inlet passageway (80) leading from an inlet tank (52) to a lower end of each cylinder and into valved communication with a head space just below the head of the piston, wherein upward motion of the piston creates a negative pressure gradient in the head space sufficient to allow high-pressure fuel into the head space, and downward motion of the piston expels high-pressure fuel through a lower flow passage and into an outlet port common to all of the cylinders; and a sealed housing (24,26) disposed around the linear pumps to contain any leakages of high-pressure cryogenic fuel. The operation of the system includes coordinated actuation of the separate linear pumps (22) to result in a pulse-free output pressure profile.