Lubricant Pump Local Heating for Low-Temperature Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricant pumps face challenges in efficiently pumping lubricants at low temperatures due to increased viscosity, requiring greater power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The lubricant pump incorporates a heating element within the reservoir proximate to the pump element, controlled by a thermal switch, to maintain the lubricant's viscosity within a manageable range by heating it when the ambient temperature falls below a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the lubricant pump operates at low temperatures, then the lubricant viscosity increases, but the power consumption increases and pumping efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated before the pump operates at low temperatures to preheat the lubricant, reducing its viscosity in advance. This preliminary heating action prevents the pump from having to overcome high viscosity during operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining pumping efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the lubricant by activating the heating element when ambient temperature falls below a threshold. This parameter change (temperature increase) directly reduces lubricant viscosity, resolving the contradiction between maintaining low temperature operation and avoiding high power consumption.
2Productivity
If the heating element is activated to reduce lubricant viscosity, then the pumping efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is self-regulated through a thermal switch that automatically activates and deactivates based on temperature feedback. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, sensors, or complex control logic, thereby maintaining simple device structure while achieving effective viscosity control to improve pumping efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal switch provides simple temperature feedback control by activating the heating element when temperature drops below a threshold and deactivating it when the threshold is reached. This feedback mechanism ensures pumping efficiency is maintained without requiring complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the heating element is disposed in the reservoir proximate the pump element, then the localized heating reduces viscosity effectively, but the heat loss to the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned locally within the reservoir proximate to the pump element, providing localized heating only where the lubricant is being pumped. This local quality approach ensures reliable lubricant flow at the pump inlet without heating the entire lubricant volume, thereby reducing overall heat loss to the environment while maintaining flow reliability.
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 solution ensures efficient lubricant pumping even at low temperatures by reducing viscosity through localized heating, thereby minimizing power consumption and preventing lubricant flow issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating element disposed in the reservoir proximate the first pump element
Implementation Method 2
a thermal switch disposed in the pump base and electrically connected to the first heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant pump (14) and a method thereof are disclosed. The lubricant pump (14) includes a pump base (32) and a reservoir housing (30). The pump base (32) and the reservoir housing (30) define a lubricant reservoir for storing lubricant. One or more pump elements (34) extend at least partially into the lubricant reservoir. Heaters (36) are disposed on the pump base (32) proximate the pump elements (34). The heaters (36) are configured to heat the local area surrounding the pump elements (34), to thereby reduce the viscosity of the lubricant at the pump elements (34). The heaters (36) are electrically connected to a thermal switch (38) to control activation and deactivation of the heaters (36). With the lubricant pump (14) and the method thereof, the thermal switch (38) can control the heater (36) based on air temperature rather than the temperature of the lubricant, so the viscosity of lubricant is well controlled.