Maglev Pump Impeller Balance-Hole Layout for Axial Position Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The impeller of a magnetic levitation type pump requires a partition plate to balance axial loads, increasing component count and manufacturing cost.

Innovation Solution

An impeller design without a partition plate, utilizing a circular column shape with balance holes and vanes, where the inlet is centered and balance holes are positioned to create axial restoring forces through main and circulation flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a partition plate is added to balance axial loads, then the impeller can be held at a predetermined position in the axial direction, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial position stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the partition plate from the impeller structure, achieving axial load balancing through an alternative approach. The balance holes in the impeller body alone are sufficient to generate the necessary circulation flow and reverse load, eliminating the need for the separate partition plate component while maintaining axial position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller body is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the structural core and the flow balancing element through its balance holes. The balance holes generate circulation flow that creates reverse load to counteract the main flow load, making the impeller body itself sufficient for axial load balancing without requiring additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a partition plate is added to balance axial loads, then the impeller can be held at a predetermined position in the axial direction, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial position stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the axial load balancing function into the impeller body structure itself through the balance holes. By integrating the flow balancing capability directly into the impeller body, the design eliminates the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing and reducing overall production costs while maintaining the necessary axial position control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If balance holes are positioned far from the inlet, then circulation flow can be generated, but the opening position becomes constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculation flow generationVSAvoidopening position range

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the positional parameters of the balance hole openings relative to the inlet, establishing specific radial and axial distance relationships that enable effective circulation flow generation. By carefully selecting these dimensional parameters, the design achieves adequate circulation flow while maintaining reasonable opening positions that do not excessively constrain the impeller structure.

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

Achieves low-cost manufacturing with effective axial position restoration, preventing impeller collision and reducing fluid pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

the first vane portion generates a main flow in which a transport fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet of the housing, due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the impeller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the second vane portion generates a circulation flow in which the transport fluid that has flowed from the upper side to the lower side on the outer side in the radial direction of the impeller body flows from the lower side to the upper side on the radially inner side of the impeller body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCirculation flow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

A magnetic levitation type pump rotates an impeller relative to a housing while levitating the impeller with magnetism and supporting the impeller in a non-contact manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic levitation: Maglev

Data Source

PatentUS20250305507A1Impeller and magnetic levitation type pump

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 PILLAR CORP

AI summary

An impeller of the present disclosure includes: an impeller body having a plurality of balance holes; a plurality of vanes provided on an end surface of the impeller body; and a cover plate having an inlet for a transport fluid. The end surface of the impeller body has a plurality of flow path surfaces each located between the vanes, and a contact surface that is located radially inward of the plurality of vanes and that is for causing the transport fluid that has flowed in through the inlet to contact the contact surface and guiding the transport fluid to each of the flow path surfaces, and an opening on one side in an axial direction of each of the balance holes is located at least either within or outside a range of the inlet when the impeller is viewed from the one side in the axial direction.